As KDP National Board Director-at-Large and a Social Studies and Career & Technical Education (CTE) teacher for grades 8–12 in Central Louisiana, Mr. Khalil Roy brings both lived experience and deep commitment to his work in education. His path to teaching was driven by a clear purpose: to be part of the solution in closing educational gaps—especially in rural communities like the one that raised him.
“What inspired me to become an educator was the desire to be part of the solution in closing the gap in education,” he shares. “I wanted to give back to my parish, a place that raised me but often lacked the resources and opportunities students in larger areas had.”
Choosing an Alternative Path into the Classroom
Mr. Roy’s path to the classroom didn’t follow a traditional route. When he began exploring alternative teaching certification options, he was searching for a program that would prepare him for the realities of teaching.
“When I began searching for a program that would truly prepare me for the classroom, iteach stood out immediately,” he explains. “They offered real support, real guidance, and real resources that helped shape me into the teacher I am today.”
That experience left a lasting impact. “My experience with them was so positive that I continue to share my story and encourage others to take the iteach route, especially with so many options out there,” he says. “I’m proud to share my story and hope it inspires others to trust the process and take their first step with iteach.”
Being the Change
Mr. Roy knew early on that change wouldn’t happen on its own. “I couldn’t just hope for change; I had to be the change,” he says. He became a teacher to show students that their circumstances do not determine their future.
“I wanted to help students see that their zip code doesn’t define their potential,” he explains, “and to prove that greatness can come from small towns, too.”
One moment from his first year of teaching still stays with him. A student who rarely spoke or engaged stayed after class one day to quietly say, “You’re the first teacher who’s ever made me feel smart.”
“That moment stopped me in my tracks,” Mr. Roy recalls. “It reminded me that teaching is so much more than delivering content—it’s about seeing students, believing in them, and helping them see their own potential.”
Though he admits he wasn’t perfect that first year, that moment made every late night, lesson plan, and growing pain worth it, and it’s something he carries with him every day.
Finding Community Through KDP
For Mr. Roy, KDP has been more than a professional organization. “KDP has been a community, a platform, and a reminder of why I chose education in the first place,” he says.
Through KDP, he has gained opportunities to help shape the future of education, advocate for equity, and connect with educators who genuinely care about making a difference. “It’s pushed me to grow as a leader, a changemaker, and a lifelong learner,” he adds.
Most importantly, KDP has reminded him that he’s not doing this work alone. “When educators unite with purpose, passion, and heart,” he says, “we can create powerful, lasting change.”
The Power of Joy in Learning
Along his teaching journey, Mr. Roy has learned an important lesson no textbook ever taught him: students remember joy.
“One fun and unexpected thing I learned,” he shares, “is that students will absolutely remember the random, silly moments more than the carefully planned lessons.”
During a unit on the Civil Rights Movement, he once jokingly sang part of a freedom song during a review. Months later, a quiet student sang it back to him, complete with the correct dates and context. That moment reinforced what he now firmly believes: “Learning sticks best when joy is involved.”
Teaching with Authenticity
Mr. Roy has discovered that some of the most powerful teaching tools aren’t found in curriculum guides. “No one told me in college that humor, vulnerability, and being authentically you could be some of your most powerful teaching tools,” he says.
Through his work in the classroom and on the KDP National Board, Mr. Roy continues to lead with authenticity, advocate for equity, and remind students and educators of the power they carry to change lives.