KHAK’s ‘Teacher of the Week’ — November 18th

Every week we honor another awesome teacher in the local area with our ‘Teacher of the Week’ award!

Congratulations to Kara Agyekum of Trinity Lutheran in Cedar Rapids, this week’s ‘Teacher of the Week!” Kara was nominated by a whoooooole lot of people (35 to be exact!). Here’s what they had to say:

• "Kara is dedicated to providing the best for her students. She works hard each day!" - Ellen Schmitt
• "She has a full class of kids. There are 26 kids in her classroom. Of the 26 kids there 17 very active boys. She manages the classroom well and makes each student feel very important." - Randi Petrik
• "My 8 year old son is in Mrs. Agyekum's class and he loves her as a teacher. This is the first year my son has said he likes school. He tells stories of her dancing during handwriting time and singing songs to help the children learn memory work. She gets to know not only each of the children in her class, but the child's family too. She recognizes the strengths of each child and makes an effort to share what she sees with the children." - Christine Erickson
• "Kara loves her students and has a passion for learning and helping shape children's lives through education." - Tiffany Fay
• "Loving and caring towards all people, especially her students. She devotes a lot of tine and energy to be the best she can be inside the classroom and out." - Dillon Fawcett
• "She truly cares about her students! she spends her extra time working on how she can help students learn. She is the most passionate and caring person. She has wanted to be a teacher since she was little and I couldn't imagine her doing anything else. She is the best teacher anyone could have!" - Dani Nardini
• "Mrs. Kara Agyekum gives her whole heart and all her energy everyday to her third grade class of 26 active learners. The students are loved, challenged, and encouraged in their school work by Mrs. Agyekum...most days they don't realize they are learning so much because she makes it fun!" - Jodi Jonasson
• "Kara is absolutely incredible. She has a heart of gold and her passion for teaching is unmatched." - Collin Schlotfeldt
• "Kara is an energetic and amazing teacher! She brings unique passion and care to her work!" - Jenny Pigge
• "She is a great teacher!" - Alysa Casey
• "Kara is one of the most selfless, gracious, and compassionate individuals with whom I have ever come in contact, both as an educator and as an individual. She has a heart for students and ceaselessly assists them in knowing, developing, and reaching their unique and extraordinary potential." - Joyce Mininger
• "Mrs Agyekum is an exceptional teacher. She genuinely cares for each of her students and devotes many hours to finding the perfect way to meet the needs of these special children. She knows how to make learning fun and is able to provide learning opportunities that allows each child to shine in their own way. She makes each of her students feel special. She is a selfless educator, devoted to this incredibly noble profession she has chosen to pour her heart into!" - Carolyn Mitchell
• "Kara has a wonderful light that shines on all those children in her charge. She believes in works hard to bring out the best in each of them!" - Mary Mitchell
• "Mrs. Agyekum gives 100% to her kids on a daily basis. She is an inspiration to those who are around her and whether in the classroom, church or at home with family she brightens the lives of those she touches." - Todd Mitchell
• "Kara is amazing with kids! She is energetic, compassionate, and kind, with the ability to see the strengths within each child to help them excel in their unique gifts and talents. Kids are drawn to her and she to them." - Bonnie Eckhoff
• "Mrs. Agyekum is very dedicated to her students, wanting the very best for them in the classroom and outside. She does all she can to help them be good stewards of their education and the world, helping them to realize their potential in life." - Bethany Andrews
• "Kara is a nurturing teacher who focuses on teaching the whole child. She has a tool box full of skills that addresses the needs of all the learners represented in her room. She makes learning fun and motivates the students to reach their fullest potential. The students are blessed to have her as a teacher, but she would say she is blessed to have them." - Tina Utley
• "Shes inspired more people then she will ever know at the age of 22." - Tara Schaible
• "Literally the sweetest and most dedicated teacher I have ever met. The kids LOVE LOVE LOVE her!" - Jennifer Miller
• "Kara goes above and beyond to show kindness and sensitivity to her students and to everyone with whom she crosses paths." - Pauline Spiekermeier
• "Kara puts her heart and soul into teaching her students. She has always put other people's needs ahead of her own and it would be amazing for her to see how much she is loved and appreciated!" - Meg McConville
• "She is one of the best people I know! She cares so much for her students and really loves them all!" - Alyssa Schaible
• "Kara has a gift for connecting to a student's heart. This leads to raising up the child's self esteem and confidence. This is invaluable in a world that, at times, celebrates bringing people down. A student who believes they can do anything will eventually be successful and be a positive influence to others. Kara brings possibility into the classroom." - Eric Mitchell
• "Kara puts her heart and soul into her students' learning process. She brings new and fresh ways to teach every subject, and her classroom is homey and comfortable. The children and their parents all appreciate and return her affection." - Mary Mitchell
• "She is a positive person and changes the school for a better place! She gives teaching her all, and works to create the best learning environment she can." - Elissa Musil
• "Kara has such an amazing passion for teaching and working with Children. She loves building relationships with the kids and will put their needs before her own. She's pretty awesome!" - John Andrews
• "She is caring & wonderful with the children." - Shannon Van Vors
• "Kara is such a wonderful teacher. She genuinely cares for all of her students and is so passionate about making sure each student succeeds. She is such an enthusiastic teacher and her genuine joy for her profession and life in general is contagious." - Kari Sicard
• "Kara is my little sister, role model and the most selfless person I know! Her #1 goal in life is to serve others and you can see that daily through the time, devotion, energy and love she gives to her 3rd graders. She loves her job and her students as if they were her own! She is certainly one of the best." - Kaitlin Kuehner
• "Kara is a caring nurturing teacher. She is ethical and you are lucky to have her." - Kari Mercer
• "Amazing Listener
  Devoted
  Strong
  Brilliant
  Loyal to her students
  Honest
  Caring
  Humble" - Matt Mitchell
• "Kara has a heart for teaching that can be seen far beyond the classroom! We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful educator in our community!!!" - Ann Sweeney
• "She has a heart of gold!" - Claire Fiedler
• "Kara is such a sweet and compassionate teacher who cares so much for each individual's learning experience. She deserves this because of her passion for teaching! She is kicking butt at her first year of teaching!" - Emily Mitchell
• "This is my sisters first year teaching and she is SUPER TEACHER! With her life lessons mixed with education, it's everything her kids need. Shes kind hearted, FUN, and all the kids love her. :) I nominate my sister because I'm so proud of how passionate she is about giving kids the great gift of education!"

Kara will be receiving gift cards from Wild Hogs in Walford, Peck’s Flower Shop, Half Price Books, and Kathy’s Pies.