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Giving Students a Hand Up

enise Talley-Hopkins isn’t new to For Talley-Hopkins, the key to being success-
D teaching. She’s been serving students ful is not just working with students, but also
for 23 years, joining KCPS in February 1997. building relationships with parents.
She has taught in multiple schools, includ-
ing Blenheim Elementary and Pinkerton “I have great relationships with my families
Elementary. She joined Faxon Elementary and that has made virtual visits a lot easier,”
in 2013. Like many in her shoes, teaching Talley-Hopkins said. “I can have frank
during the pandemic has been a challenge. conversations with Mom to find ways we can
support the student’s success while learning Denise Talley-Hopkins
Ms. Talley-Hopkins sees two sides of edu- from home.” Special Education
cation, both as a teacher and as a parent of FAXON ELEMENTARY
a four-year-old girl in the district, attending As she works with parents and students, she
Harold Holliday, Sr. Montessori School. is making sure to provide support for her “The team at Holliday did such a great job of
While distance learning isn’t ideal for most students’ full-time teachers. hosting meetings for parents, helping with
families in the district, Talley-Hopkins is technology and the different platforms,”
working with the students and families she “It is really important to help my students Talley-Hopkins said. “The meetings, setting
serves, supporting their needs beyond the keep up in their regular class,” Talley-Hopkins a schedule that fits our family, along with a
traditional lessons. explained. “Yes, I have special education hub base on the website, have made learning
curriculum, but it’s more important to online for my preschooler enjoyable.”
“This year, not only are we working around support the students in their regular class-
teacher schedules, work so they’re successful all around.” Teaching – both virtually and at home –
which is more during a global pandemic may be challeng-
difficult due to While she works with her students and fam- ing, but Talley-Hopkins is optimistic.
distance learn- ilies, Talley-Hopkins is also encouraging her
ing, but I am also own young learner at home. Doing preschool “It’s going to be a good year; there’s no
helping students curriculum via distance learning may not failing because of the pandemic,” Talley-
with technology.” be ideal, but Talley-Hopkins says it’s been a Hopkins said. “We are going to be success-
smooth process so far. ful, no matter what.”

En Español

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environment here at school.”
– THE NICHOLAS-CAMEL FAMILY
Wendell Phillips Elementary School KCPUBLICSCHOOLS.ORG | 8