Kenny Powell is a third-grade student at North Elementary, and he was the clear standout in this month’s nominations for our Student of the Month spotlight. Staff members shared overwhelming praise for his growth, perseverance, and positive character development.
Here are some things teachers said about him when nominating him for this spotlight:
“I am very proud of the growth Kenny has shown over the past few years. He has made significant progress in managing his emotions and has demonstrated increased maturity both in and out of the classroom. Each time I see Kenny now, he is doing well and making positive choices. It is incredibly rewarding to see students overcome early challenges and experience such meaningful growth in their school journey.”
“I am incredibly proud of him and feel he absolutely deserves recognition. He has made remarkable growth and positive changes, showing tremendous effort and perseverance. His progress has truly been night and day, and I could not be more proud. Congratulations to him on this well-earned success.”
“You can see the change in Kenny from the personal work he has done. Whenever I grab him from the bus, you can see happiness radiating from him and tell that he is happy within himself and his environment. I am proud of our staff for the dedication, and so happy for Kenny that his year is going great!”
“I had the privilege of working with Kenny in Title reading last year. Throughout our group time, he consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, showed respect to his peers, and motivated those around him. When he asked me this year when we would begin our sessions again, I felt both proud and a little sad to share that he would no longer need Title services. Kenny has shown tremendous growth as a reader, and it has been wonderful to watch him excel across all areas this year. Keep up the excellent work, Kenny—I am very proud of you!”
Another staff member shared a moment that perfectly reflects Kenny’s character growth:
“I have spent a great deal of time with Kenny over the past two years, and his attitude this year has been consistently positive in every interaction. Recently, I mentioned wanting to bring him some homemade cookies to recognize how well he has been doing, and he kindly asked if I could bring an extra one so he could share with a classmate. It was wonderful to see his thoughtfulness and consideration for others.”
“Kenny is thoughtful and polite. Although I did not know him last year, I have heard about some of the challenges he previously faced and am truly impressed by the positive changes he has made. He is kind and a good friend to his classmates. We are all so proud of Kenny.”
“Kenny, my boy and friend. I am so proud of you!”
One staff member who has worked closely with Kenny over multiple years shared this reflection on his growth:
“Having had Kenny for two years, I have had the opportunity to witness the remarkable growth he has made. He has developed strong self-regulation skills and works hard to recognize and manage his emotions. He is now able to express what is bothering him calmly rather than reacting impulsively, which shows significant progress. Kenny has also learned how to be a positive friend, participates in activities at recess, and engages appropriately with his peers. I have truly enjoyed seeing him smile, laugh, and joke—moments that reflect his increased confidence and sense of belonging. Additionally, Kenny has become a valuable support to others by sharing strategies that have worked for him and always striving to be kind and inclusive.”
Way to go, Kenny! Thank you for representing North Elementary and Warsaw R-IX with growth, kindness, and Wildcat Pride. We are so proud of you!