Name: Mrs. Kelli Houghton
School: Willowbrook Middle School in the Prairie Hill School District, South Beloit
What do you teach?: 8th Grade Literature
Years active as a teacher: 21 STRONG!

1. Why did you want to become a teacher?

I take pride in watching a child’s learning journey grow, especially readers. Most often, 8th graders at the beginning of the school year enter my classroom, aka, The Literature Lounge, stating their disgust for reading. After 9 months of learning, being trapped in my class 5 days a week, 40 minutes a day, students leave the Literature Lounge craving more. Check it out!

2. How do teachers keep students engaged and craving more in a classroom?

I believe Teachers create magic with their content, sharing their passion for their craft, and kids feed off of their energy! More importantly teachers build such trusting relationships that kids learn quickly that they can really be themselves!

3. What’s something you have learned after working with 8th graders for so long?

I have taught for 21 years, as an 8th grade Literature teacher. So that means, I can speak “Teenager” well. “You got me, Bruh?!” After decades of teaching, I have lots of stories to tell, but not sure you have enough time to listen…or enough coffee!

4. What’s your favorite part about being a teacher?

Helping students’ write their next chapter. I appreciate that my students all learn differently, and my job is to accommodate their needs and teach them to be successful quality citizens in life.

5. If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?

Be yourself, try new things, take risks, embrace the weird, and continue just giving your best! Effort can go a long way and after all, you really are “stuck in the middle.”

Wishing all 815 teachers a healthy, happy school year and a shout out to all Willowbrook Wolverines!

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