Now in her 15th year with Legacy Traditional Schools, Maricopa Teacher Shayla Hendrix knew at an early age that her destiny was to teach and help others.
“I enjoy helping children learn and grow. My mother has pictures of me as a child with the neighborhood kids playing school and teaching.”
Earning Maricopa Teacher of the Year in 2019, Ms. Hendrix said to be a great teacher and to inspire children, educators must adapt to changing needs of students – sometimes during a lesson. She said the most important thing for students to know is that classrooms are safe environments to learn, make mistakes, and grow.
“A great teacher has compassion, forms strong relationships, and is consistent with classroom procedures and management.”
Ms. Hendrix’s former students are now mothers and fathers, teachers, and military service members – a testament to her positive influence on student lives. “A parent stopped me recently and told me about their son at a military academy – he’s planning to attend an HBCU.”
Since the beginning, Ms. Hendrix said she has always kept the “Why” for her reason to teach at the forefront. “I remember that I am making an impact even on those days when I don’t feel like I am.”