Keenya Coke, the Lifelong Educator Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges
As the sun rises, an email notification breaks the early morning silence. It’s a Thursday, and this is the second email to grace my inbox, bearing the thoughts and insights of one Keenya Coke. She’s an inspiring figure, an educator devoted to crafting high-quality learning experiences for children. Her journey, philosophy, and experiences as a black woman educator are a testament to her strength and dedication.
Keenya Coke is no ordinary educator. With 12 years of experience as an elementary teacher, she serves today as the Director of Education for an after-school program while acting as a virtual instructional coach for new teachers. “I consider myself a lifelong educator,” she tells me. Her passion, undiluted by years in the field, shines through every word she shares.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Coke found her love for learning at an early age. Her mother, a beacon of wisdom and encouragement, instilled in her the importance of reading and education. “I was an only child and spent a lot of time writing in my journal, reading and writing poems,” she recalls. Beyond her academic pursuits, she found joy in extracurricular activities like step, cheerleading, and peer mediation.
Her journey toward becoming an educator began in college, where she was introduced to Teach for America. Coke was deeply moved by their mission to make quality education accessible to all students, regardless of where they live. “It was personal to me because I did not have access to a good school in my neighborhood,” she reveals. “I had to travel on a school bus to a different neighborhood to receive a good education.”
Coke’s educational philosophy is holistic and child-centered. She believes in addressing the needs of the whole child and creating an environment where students can grow, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. “The teacher sets the tone for the classroom,” she says. “It is the job of the educator to create an environment where students can feel safe, learn, and grow.”
However, her journey hasn’t been without its challenges. As a black woman educator, she’s often felt isolated and overwhelmed. But she’s found strength in acknowledging that asking for help does not signify weakness. “Recognizing you need help and finding ways to get it is actually a strength,” she shares a note of determination clear in her voice.
Throughout her career, she’s celebrated numerous triumphs, each a testament to her dedication and resilience. “My triumphs are in all of the times where I have seen some kind of transformation in a student either behaviorally or academically,” she says. “It is a constant reminder of why I do this work in the first place.”
Coke believes her work can have a lasting impact by effectively communicating her methods and strategies to other educators. “I believe lasting impact happens when knowledge and information is transferred through generations,” she says. And as she transitions out of the classroom, she’s committed to sharing her experiences to help future educators succeed.
To fellow educators navigating their own path, Coke offers advice: “Build and utilize your network and support system. Don’t hold on to things from the day before. Learn from it and apply the lessons moving forward.”
Coke is also a contributor to the ‘Centering Our Voices’ anthology, a project that gives black women the space to share their experiences in the field of education. Her chapter focuses on vulnerability and the importance of openness and reliance on others to reach your full potential. “I want readers to know that it is impossible to reach your full potential without vulnerability. We must be comfortable opening up to and depending on others to access the highest version of ourselves.”
The anthology, she believes, will inspire educators and build stronger communities in schools and educational institutions. “My hope is that educators will be inspired by and feel connected to all of the stories in the anthology,” she says.
To connect with Keenya Coke and order a copy of ‘Centering Our Voices’, visit her Instagram page @kc_educator18. The link to order the book is in her bio.
