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EDITOR’S NOTE: The LaGrange Daily News is doing a Q&A with all of the teachers of the year in the Troup County School System. Today, we are writing about Kanada McGill, a fourth-grade Math teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School. We asked her 20 questions, and we shortened this interview to some of our favorite responses.

Kanada McGill has been in education for 22 years. The entirety of that time has been with the Troup County School System. She has been at Hillcrest Elementary School for the past 10 years.

Kanada has been married to Bryan McGill for 20 years. They were high school sweethearts at LaGrange High School and continue to support the Grangers through their two children. Abby is a senior at LHS, where she plays on the softball team. She will be attending the University of Georgia next fall. Cason is a Freshman at LHS where he plays on the football and baseball teams.

What inspired you to become an educator? (Or who?) 

“Growing up watching my parents LOVE what they did inspired me to follow in their footsteps. Teresa Moore, my mom and retired Kindergarten teacher, began countless kids’ education with a love of learning. Coach Kenny Moore, my dad, continues to inspire students 49 years into his career at LaGrange High. Both of my parents impacted so many lives that have gone on to impact many communities. I have witnessed countless students returning with a hug and a ‘Thank you!’.  My hope is that I can make even a fraction of a ripple that they have made in growing lifelong learners and difference makers.”

What are your career aspirations? 

“I would love to finish my career growing confident math students and retire happy, healthy, and ready for the next phase of life.” 

If you weren’t a teacher, what career field would you be in? 

“I honestly cannot imagine myself in another field other than teaching. If I did not love the classroom so much, I would enjoy teaching hospital-bound children at a children’s hospital.”

What’s the most creative/unique project one of your classes has worked on?

“I have always enjoyed STEM days. We have built bridges, turkey hideouts, marshmallow towers and tall cup towers. Watching the students explore, create, evaluate, and become successful after trial and error is awesome!”

If you could invite any historical figure to speak to your class, who would you choose and why?

“Neil Armstrong would be my choice. His story would be full of excitement, adventure, and groundbreaking science.”

What’s the most rewarding part about your job? 

“Teaching has to be the most rewarding job as a whole. As educators, we get to witness students develop academically, socially, and emotionally. The excitement and pride that students feel when they succeed, especially after hard work and perseverance, is an incredibly rewarding experience.”

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

“At times, teaching can be just as challenging as it is rewarding. The most challenging part to me is when there’s not enough time for one-on-one conversations with students due to time constraints, large class sizes, standard mastery, and in general a busy school day. It’s challenging balancing the demands of meeting important academic needs with the critical emotional/social needs. These needs, no matter as big as a death in family or as small as a lost tooth, matter to our students. It’s often challenging to find time to stop, listen, and respond.” 

What did it mean to you to be named your school’s teacher of the year? 

“I am blessed to teach amongst incredible people at Hillcrest. They challenge me to strive to be the best version of myself because they accomplish so much daily. To be named by them to represent Hillcrest is a true honor.”

On a weekend or a summer day when school is out, what are your favorite activities? 

“Having downtime to regroup and recharge is my favorite weekend/summer activity. This may include lounging by the pool, traveling, taking a good nap, watching a movie, yelling “Go Dawgs” on game day, eating Mexican with friends, but my absolute favorite is any time my little family of 4 is able to be in the same room together and just be together.” 

As your students transition to the next grade or graduate in May, what is one key takeaway you hope they carry forward from their time in your class? 

“As a math teacher, I could easily say multiplication, fact fluency, number sense, or a deep understanding of fractions; however, that list pales in comparison to my real ‘Why’. I want my students to leave me with a true love of learning math. I want them to take away confidence, perseverance through productive struggle, and a true belief of ‘I can!’