Today we’d like to introduce you to Keke Powell
Hi Keke, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It’s wild to think that now I am a multi-award winning teacher. All of the teachers that have helped collaborate with me and grow in the profession I an so grateful for!
I got the idea during covid. I was thinking of creative ways to share my ideas and wanted to get the supplies I needed to be a successful teacher. As teachers, we don’t always get all the materials we need to bring the excitement to learning and making it fun! I wanted to leverage social media to help me with the out-of-pocket costs to do just that! At that time, I have a few educational influencers that I loved to get ideas from. I started with creating my own logo. I wanted to be a book character since I enjoyed reading a lot of books with my students. Being a Pacific Islander, I wanted to add my aloha spirit to my book character. This is how @mspowellteaches came to life!
I started partnering with different companies throughout the years. I have done work with over 30+ companies and have really grown as a content creator. All of the content you see on my socials is exactly what you would see me do in my classroom. It doesn’t feel like work and I enjoy inspiring other ideas to other educators. My students get so excited when they see a new box in the classroom and want to see what’s inside. I want people to see their authentic reactions and their joys of excitement!
I attend a lot of different conferences throughout the school year in and out of state. It’s important to bring these ideas back to my classroom and learn different styles and techniques.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. I often have to sacrifice a lot of time after school to get my ideas filmed. I try my best to have a solid work life balance and teaching my self how to do certain transitions and editing skills. I feel that companies really push me out of my comfort zones at times and suggest ideas that I don’t ever think of! I love collaborations that allow me to just have fun with it and video anything that fits my audience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known for wearing costumes. I have over 80+ costumes and I enjoy making learning fun for my students. It started 3 years ago when I realized that wearing certain costumes was super comfortable. During the winter months, I love being able to wear a onesie everyday to school. Plus it helps lower the affective filter in the room for my students. Students see their teacher being silly, so they feel more comfortable and enjoy seeing what I wear each day. Now when I don’t wear a costume, my students find it odd. I just want my students to see that you can have fun doing what you love everyday!
I enjoy presenting at conferences and sharing ideas that have worked in my classroom with others. If I can be a resource to others, then I am always happy to help! This past winter I was on the cover of the TSTA Magazine!
Any big plans?
My future plans is to continue to stay in the classroom. I am very happy where I am right now and bringing magical experiences for my students. Maybe 10 years from now I can work in the capitol to help ensure education is getting it’s proper funding and help keep teachers in the classroom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mspowellteaches.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspowellteaches/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspowellteaches/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mspowellteaches
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=migfpGCNBEnV3ntFNklOGQ
- Other: https://linktr.ee/mspowellteaches
Image Credits
NEA Foundation
Alliant Group
Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA)
