Story by Kaden Bessent
Tabitha Keas is going on her second official year teaching Early Childhood Special Education at Northwest Elementary. Before that, she taught at Coggin Elementary and substituted for the entire BISD district, which led her to the teaching path she is now on.
“I became a teacher because it is the most challenging, yet rewarding job I have ever done. I’ve always had a passion for helping others but when I began working for Brownwood ISD as a substitute teacher, it hit me like a ton of bricks at how good it made me feel to have an impact on children’s lives on a daily basis,” Keas said. “When I began working with special needs children, I knew I didn’t want to just have a job teaching, I wanted it to be my long-term career.”
Keas said she was influenced by many teachers along the way. “So many wonderful teachers have had an impact on me wanting to become a teacher., honestly, too many to name all of them. To name a few, Karla Williams, Pettis Allgood, Danielle Allen, Brooke Garrett, Jillian Tippit, Martha Woods, Susan Mora, Amy Younce, Mallory Gibbs, and the list could go on.”
In 2007, Keas graduated from Pflugerville High School. She received her Bachelor’s from American InterContinental University and is now in her residency stage with iteach Texas to gain her EC-12 Special Education certification.
As for why she teaches Early Childhood Special Education, Keas said, “It is my calling in life and my passion. The smallest milestones that I get to experience with each student are so uplifting. Getting to teach them, love them, and watch them grow is my biggest why. Feeling like I can make even the smallest difference in students’ lives is everything to me.”
Regarding what’s rewarding about teaching, Keas said, “Helping students reach their fullest potential is the most rewarding part about teaching and just simply getting to be a part of their lives.”
As for what’s exciting about the future, Keas said, “Looking back over the next several years and encountering students that I’ve had the honor of teaching is really exciting.”
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BrownwoodNews.com will highlight one Brown County educator per day in the month of July, based on nominations received on our Facebook page, for our Teacher Feature series.