Meet Janna Kirby, a KDP legacy member, elementary teacher with Bauxite School District in Bauxite, Arkansas, and a member of the Alpha Alpha Sigma Chapter at University of the Ozarks. Since first joining KDP in 2007, Janna has remained committed throughout her career. This year, she celebrates another milestone as she earns her master’s degree from Henderson State University in Educational Leadership.
Learning and Growing with KDP
For Janna, KDP has been a consistent source of growth, connection, and professional learning."I love the teaching channel,” she says. “I have used it as a resource for instructional strategies as well as for professional growth as a building level administrator.” She’s big on collaboration, too. “I also appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and share ideas with other like-minded educators.”
At the center of Janna’s work is a deep love for her students and community. "I genuinely love to serve the children and families in my community. It is so rewarding to build relationships with students and then watch them grow throughout the year,” she said. “Building relationships is the foundation to making a difference in any circumstance."
Janna also values collaboration within her school community, working closely with colleagues to support growth and improvement for all students.
The Power of Data
While she leads with her heart, Janna also has a real knack for the numbers. She loves digging into data to see exactly where her students are succeeding and where they might need a little extra boost. “I love to watch and track data to strive for growth and improvement. Data analysis is definitely a strong point and passion for me,” she explains.
If you ask Janna what drives her, the answer is simple: the people. Whether she’s in the classroom or working with her colleagues to improve the school, she believes everything starts with a handshake and a conversation.
Life at Home
Outside of the school day, Janna is just as active. She’s a proud mom to four busy teenage daughters, which means her "free time" is usually spent cheering from the sidelines of a lacrosse, soccer, or softball field. “God is so good and we are so thankful for our health and ability to be active,” she shares.
When she finally gets a quiet moment to herself, you can find her doing yoga, working in her garden, or hanging out with her chickens.
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