Dr. Leah McKeeman

Assistant ProfessorTeaching

Curriculum and Instruction

 

I got my undergraduate degree here at K-State. I had a really great experience during my first college visit and felt like it was big enough yet had a small-town feel. I grew up in Kansas City, but Manhattan felt like a nice size. I really liked the campus, people and the program throughout my undergraduate studies. My first job after graduation was in the Blue Valley School District in Kansas City. While I was there, I worked on my master’s through Baker University. When my husband and I got married, we moved to the Washington, D.C., area. I taught in a school and started a preschool there as well. When we moved back here to Manhattan, I started working on my Ph.D., and after I finished that program, I started in my current position. I have had several title changes since then, but I have been very lucky to do what I love throughout my career.

 

What makes the MAT program special: So many things make the MAT program at K-State special. What I love most is that our College of Education has identified some of the hoops and hurdles keeping possible teachers out of the classroom and found ways to remove them. It has allowed midlife career individuals who want to get into the classroom and are unable to complete a traditional undergraduate degree a roadmap to the classroom. Our students get a personalized experience and lots of perspectives on what classroom instruction can look like. They are able to connect with fellow students, as well as professors and staff in the program.

 

What drew you to education: My career has almost all been in education because I truly enjoy it. It has always felt less like a job and more like a calling. Even growing up, I was always playing school with my cousins and helping them learn new skills. There was a small stint when we first moved to the D.C. area when I decided to try something new. It took me about three months to realize I wasn’t happy doing anything else outside of the classroom. I realized that working with kids energizes me, and creating those connections gives purpose and meaning to what I was doing. I have been in education since and have loved it.

 

Do you have a favorite teaching moment: I obviously love watching the students “get it.” I think that’s probably why most teachers go into teaching in the first place. While I love those moments, some of my favorite moments are when I am able to talk and interact with students on a different level outside of the classroom. I enjoy getting a glimpse into their worlds, whether it is something they are struggling with or a success they are celebrating. I’ve been invited to weddings, and I’ve been asked to take students to AA meetings. To have students who feel comfortable approaching me and see me not only as a teacher in the classroom, but also as a person who cares about them, means a lot. Those experiences have been some of the most meaningful moments in my teaching career.