With her soft smile and calming voice, Cheryl Kirby is beloved by many students.
Kirby started volunteering for the district in 1997, previously working for Timberlake High School.
Kirby officially started working for Lakeland High School (LHS) in 2011 and has been loving it ever since. Being in the special education department while teaching two study hall classes, Kirby enjoys building relationships with the students.
“My favorite part of being a teacher is spending time with the kids,” Kirby said.
Other than teaching, Kirby likes to spend as much time as she can outdoors. She enjoys activities such as camping, skiing, hiking, and hanging out with her friends. Kirby also has a husband, 3 kids and 3 grandchildren that she visits as much as she can.
What makes Kirby an excellent teacher is her willingness to help and the way she does it. Kirby has a calm energy that makes her so easy and comfortable to talk to. When she is brought up, what you’ll usually hear is “I love Mrs. Kirby” or “She’s one of my favorite teachers.”
“She’s very patient and understanding,” Sophia Medlock said. “I’ve had her for two years now, and each year she’s helped me a lot.”
Her ability to connect with students and keep them on task is another quality of Kirby’s that separates her from other teachers.
“Its a balancing act trying to keep the peace without disrupting the students too much,” said Kirby.
Kirby is in college at the moment working on getting her teaching credentials, planning to continue teaching special education.