April Teacher of the Month: Sally Lopez
MANHATTAN (KSNT) - Sally Lopez is a fifth-grade teacher at Oliver Brown Elementary School in Manhattan.
Growing up in Kansas City, Kansas, Lopez went to Kansas City Kansas Community College before transferring to K-State and graduating with a bachelor's in Elementary Education in 2021.
Her dedication to learn and be the best teacher she can doesn't end there; in 2023 she completed her master's in curriculum and instruction.
"A big reason that I wanted to become a teacher was to be the representation that lacked when I was in school," Lopez said. "I didn't have teachers that looked like me when I was in elementary school, and it wasn't until middle school when I started to have teachers that look like me it really made an impact on my desire to go to school and my performance in school."
With four years of teaching under her belt, all of which at Oliver Brown, Ms. Lopez says it's the close-knit and supportive community in Manhattan that has allowed her to be the teacher she is today.
"I've really loved every moment of teaching here." she said. "I think starting my teaching career here was the best choice I could have made. The connections that I've been able to make with families and the community has really boosted my ability to teach and teach well."
Principal Amber Cook would have to agree, saying the relationships that Lopez has been able to make with her students help not only her teaching, but improves the learning in the classroom as well.
"She allows for students to be seen and heard in her classroom in a way that provides them to be their authentic self while still providing them with good direction and continuing to help them improve as learners but also as individuals and as people," Cook said.
Becoming a pro at what you do doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, and there will be bumps along the way.
For both current and future teachers, 27 News asked Ms. Lopez for advice she has to help you grow.
"Don't be afraid to make mistakes," Lopez said. "You can't grow and learn unless you make mistakes, and so failed lessons and botched interactions is the only way you're going to grow and be a better educator, so just don't be afraid to make mistakes."
Throughout her career, Ms. Lopez has been able to create a teacher TikTok, giving people a funny dose of what it means to be a teacher. You can follow her at @lopgur.
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