Kellea Newton has been an educator for 21 years.
After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi, she began her career at Resurrection Catholic School (RCS) where she taught 5th grade and up. She is currently the 6th grade math teacher at Trent Lott Academy in Pascagoula.
“I enjoy being an educator and establishing relationships with students, hopefully influencing them in a positive and helpful way to become successful in navigating through their middle and high school years. I have also felt a deep sense of joy in having a part in inspiring my daughter, Elizabeth, in becoming an educator. She has a teacher’s heart and a true joy of academia,” Newton said.
Newton was destined to become a teacher.
“When I was a little girl, I loved playing school and wanted to be a teacher, only second to becoming a mother. I have always wanted to contribute to the well-being of my students in a way that would influence them to always strive to do their very best in all they do from academics to their relationships. I hope I have contributed to their academic and personal growth in a positive way.”
Her favorite part about teaching is being creative in delivering lessons in a way to promote the love of learning. But what she finds challenging is that not only are teachers responsible for teaching academic content, they are responsible for helping children with issues such as bullying, family problems, and a lack of interest in learning.
Newton has had many memorable teacher moments over the years, but the most recent one occurred two years ago after her husband had a serious ATV accident and was in the ICU for 10 days at the USA Trauma Center in Mobile.
“I was in his room and I heard a voice ask, ‘Mrs. Newton, is that you?’ I would recognize that voice anywhere. It was a former student of mine and she was one of my husband’s nurses. It was a full circle moment and I felt that if I even had a small part in the success of this young lady, then I had done a good thing.”
Lastly, and most importantly, from her time at RCS, she has gotten messages from students and parents thanking her for playing a part in their child’s spiritual journey and their relationship with Jesus.
“These, I would say, have been my most fulfilling moments.”
She finds motivation and inspiration in a quote from famed American poet Maya Angelou who said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made that feel.”
Newton’s mother, Gloria Jordan, is her biggest inspiration, with Elizabeth Benefield, her former principal at RCS, coming in at a close second.
“Both have taught me that love for what you do is the most important thing at the end of the day.”
Photo is courtesy of Kellea Newton
