New Teacher Kody Spiker Begins Her Career at Lake Superior Academy
SAULT STE. MARIE – Lake Superior Academy welcomes new teacher Kody Spiker as she starts her career with a passion for helping students on a personal level. With her love for teaching and a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment, Spiker is excited to make a difference in the lives of her students.
At just 23 years old, Spiker embarked on her journey as a teacher this fall. Hailing from Fairview, Michigan, her passion for education was ignited during a student teaching program in high school. As a teaching assistant in a kindergarten classroom, she found joy in helping children with their alphabets and listening to them read. Her experiences in that role solidified her desire to pursue a career in teaching.
Spiker attended Lake Superior State University and fell in love with the area. She decided to stay in Sault Ste. Marie, as it was not too far from her hometown and offered a nature-filled environment that she adored. During her time at the university, she faced a difficult decision between journalism and teaching, both of which intrigued her. She ended up leaving her fate to chance and selected her career path by picking a piece of paper out of a hat. This led her to the field of education, where she has since thrived.
Following her graduation from LSSU, Spiker worked at a local coffee shop while waiting for an opportunity to work with young students. Finally, in the 2023-24 school year, she began her position as a student teacher at Lake Superior Academy. Here, she discovered her love for teaching younger children, as they are more receptive to having fun while learning. She developed innovative teaching methods, turning lessons into engaging games to captivate her students’ interest.
During her time as a student teacher, Spiker taught in the classroom and provided one-on-one instruction to students struggling with specific subjects like English and math. She also took charge of conducting standardized testing at the school, broadening her experience in educational practices.
Looking ahead to the 2024-25 school year, Spiker is thrilled to start her role as a full-time English teacher. Lake Superior Academy is preparing to open a new building on campus, complete with several additional classrooms, including one dedicated to Spiker. Her favorite subjects to teach are writing and reading, as they unlock a world of knowledge and excitement.
I like everything, but I really love writing and reading, which works out perfectly with what I’m teaching right now, shared Spiker.
Despite only having taught for one semester as a student teacher, Spiker already has a favorite moment in her teaching career. As the semester drew to a close, her students surprised her with a heartfelt farewell party. They brought her favorite food, blueberry muffins, and wrote individual cards to express their appreciation. It was a touching and memorable experience for Spiker.
With her enthusiasm and dedication to her students’ success, Spiker is set to make a lasting impact at Lake Superior Academy. As she continues to learn and grow in her career, she aims to inspire and empower her students through the joy of education.
(Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com)
