Nurturing Growth: Khonnor Longendyke's Impact as a Middle School Special Education Teacher

The role of an educator is as diverse as the students they teach. For those who specialize in special education, the challenge is not only in providing academic support but also in nurturing the emotional and social well-being of their students. In this episode we sit down with Khonnor Longendyke, a dedicated special education teacher at Williamston Middle School, to delve into his journey, experiences, and the rewards of teaching middle schoolers with special needs.

The Path to Williamston

Joining as a special education teacher at Williamston Middle School, Khonnor Longendyke shares his path to the district. After completing his student teaching at the high school, he was drawn to Williamston due to its proximity to his family and the welcoming environment he encountered during his initial experiences within the district. The appeal of the district, coupled with the opportunity to switch from math to ELA, solidified his decision to begin his teaching career in this nurturing and supportive community.

Passion for Special Education

Khonnor's passion for special education shines through as he discusses his love for helping students overcome challenges. His ability to witness the "light bulb" moments in students fosters a sense of fulfillment, emphasizing the profound impact educators can have on their students' lives. By providing unwavering support and guidance, he empowers his students to conquer obstacles and develop resilience, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the value of perseverance and empathy.

Sustaining Factors in Education

As a teacher, the sustained support from colleagues and the nurturing environment of the school community play a pivotal role in facilitating personal and professional growth. Khonnor emphasizes the significance of the family-oriented culture at Williamston Middle School, where collaboration, open dialogue, and shared experiences contribute to a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. Moreover, the unwavering support from his family further strengthens his resolve and commitment to his role as a dedicated educator.

The Unique Essence of Middle School

Middle school often evokes memories of growth, challenges, and the transition from childhood to adolescence. For Khonnor, the vibrancy and unpredictability embedded in middle schoolers create an environment that is consistently engaging and rewarding. He reflects on the joy derived from being able to witness and guide students through the formative experiences that shape their educational journey and personal growth.

Fostering Joyful Learning

In a heartwarming anecdote, Khonnor shares a light-hearted classroom experience. By encouraging his students to read with their goofiest voices, he not only infuses the lesson with enthusiasm but also celebrates the joy of learning. The shared laughter and engagement in the classroom epitomize the essence of joyful learning, reaffirming that education should be an enjoyable and enriching experience for every student.

Each interaction Khonnor describes echoes the sentiment that teaching is not solely about imparting knowledge but also about inspiring a joy for learning. Through his dedication and compassion, he effectively embodies the spirit of teaching, nurturing, and guiding his students with integrity and empathy.

The conversation with Khonnor Longendyke sheds light on the boundless rewards of teaching special education at the middle school level. It exemplifies the impact educators have on the lives of their students and the meaningful connections formed within the school community. Khonnor's unwavering dedication, coupled with the vibrant energy of the middle school environment, paints a heartfelt portrait of the profound impact of special education on both students and educators alike.

 

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:19]:
Welcome back to the Hornet Hive. I'm your host, doctor Christopher Lewis, one of the members of the Williamston Community Schools Board of Education. Really excited to have you back again this week. I love being able to sit down with you every week to talk about the amazing things that are happening in our district. And there are so many things, so many great things that are happening every day in our schools, and I wanna make sure you know about them. Not only the activities and opportunities that exist for our students, But I also want you to get to know the staff members, the people that are in our schools, that are working with our kids on a daily basis because that's important too. And every week, I have an opportunity to be able to introduce you to different people, tell you about different things, and I love being able to sit down and talk to you about that. This week, we've got another great guest with us.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:06]:
Khonnor Longendyke is with us, and Connor is a special education teacher at Williamston Middle School. It's been here for a few years, and we're gonna get to know him a little bit more today. So I'm really excited to have him on the show. Connor, thanks so much for being here today.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:01:20]:
Hey. Thanks for having me.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:21]:
So first and foremost, I love to be able to turn the clock back in time, Connor, and I I would love for you to tell me the story of what initially brought you to Williamston.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:01:29]:
I was Entering into my student teaching for special education. So the 2nd semester of my student teaching experience Would be my last semester. And I was applying for 3 different choices to go to for my placement. And the way it works is the university coordinator kind of looks at my 3 choices and, and goes around to schools and just, You know, sees where the right fit could be. And I got Williamston as my, it was my first choice. And so that worked out because, my family is is here in town. And so I was able to move back home, and I started student teaching actually at the High school, in the basic classroom with Kristin Goodshow, and so that's where my experience there started. And I was doing the student teaching.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:02:23]:
Was great, was applying for lot of different jobs. And so I was kind of thinking of Williamston always in the midst of that, Wondering maybe there's an opportunity here, but just was kind of spreading my horizons, kinda seeing where my options were. There is a position actually open at the middle school for a, math special ed, math resource teacher. And I actually Got notification about that probably my 3rd or 4th week of my student teaching, which is pretty early. And so I was like, wow, this, This could happen pretty early. I could step into this role before my student teaching's even over. And I was kind of overwhelmed, but in a good way. And so I was like, well, I wanna finish out my student teaching and, and, the, administrators, they agreed.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:03:14]:
And, and so I finished out my student teaching. And then when I graduated after I graduated college, I stepped in right when the 2nd semester started in 2021. So right after Christmas, I stepped in as the, math support teacher math resource teacher at the middle school. And so I was getting that experience then, and I was still fine looking for jobs and still considering Williamston. And then it was, Believe March where I was really wrestling with, actually, this position and then Mount Pleasant a position in Mount Pleasant. And I was Just just really thinking about it and using all of my just different factors that I've been considering to just see which would be the best fit. And, nonetheless, I chose Williamstead, and I a factor that helped in that was being able to switch from math to ELA in my special ed position at the middle school. So that really played a part in it because I am more of an ELA guy than a math guy way more an ELA guy than a math guy.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:04:16]:
So yeah. So that is what brought me here. I'm, yeah, very grateful for that. I just had so many different opportunities, but I just saw that Williamston It's just just a great district, and I wanted to have this be my 1st teaching job.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:04:30]:
Now I mentioned you are a special education teacher. And as you go through your training as an educator, you select that path that you want to go on. You figure that out for yourself whether you are In a self contained classroom, as an elementary teacher, a middle school teacher, a high school teacher, whatever you choose, you chose to go down the path of being education teacher. What do you love about special education? What made you choose that path for yourself?

Khonnor Longendyke [00:04:55]:
I think I love just the opportunity of Being able to see students that struggle with just concepts and just skills and just different ideas, just Be able to get it and kind of see this is kind of a common phrase that I hear teachers Say that it really is true to me just kinda see the light bulb. Like, just to be able to see someone who just really struggles with something just just really gets them kind of off track. It like just really kinda just really bothers them. And then like, they start to get it. Not that I want something to bother them, but just to see, like, okay. They just really persevere and they just really just really get through a task and they overcome it. And I just love being a part of that. Just love being able to just provide the support, to just kind of use my patience to just Give them what they need while they you know, whatever.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:05:52]:
Whatever students struggling with, whether it be the homework assignment or Just a everyday skill. Like, I just love to be able to just kind of be there with them and support them. And when they are able to overcome just Different tasks that are hard. That just gives me encouragement for just, I think, everybody, just people in general when, You know, something's hard for me or just, like, other people I know that don't have quite the same, Conflict or as part of a conflict as, like, my students, that just kinda gives me encouragement in just an opportunity to encourage others of Like, hey. This this this is harder for others, actually. And so it just kinda gives a good perspective also of just our attitudes and our efforts in kind of our grit that we should put forth in things. So, yeah, I just love being able to see that in my students and then, like, have that kinda help me in that perspective of whatever I may have a struggle with. Yeah.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:06:49]:
Just great perspective and just just cool to be Part of and help them to just support them in that.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:06:55]:
Now I know for every teacher, there are things that sustain you on a daily basis, a monthly basis, an annual basis, things that Push you on in your career, encourage you along the way. You've been here now for a few years. As you look back on your time, What has sustained you over your time in the district? What makes Williamston a great place to work?

Khonnor Longendyke [00:07:16]:
I would say I think a big one is just the family oriented, just Just style of the staff here at the middle school and even just all of Williamston. I mean, even when we have this big PD meetings and stuff. And Like I mentioned, I was at the high school for my student teaching. So I know a good chunk of the high school staff. And so being able to just kind of bump into them every now and then and talk with them and then just be with my colleagues at the middle school every day and just be able to collaborate and to Just kinda talk about how how life is going, how the the teaching day to day basis is going. That just that just really helps, I think, to keep me going. It's helpful just knowing that there is, someone on my my left of my room and my right of my room, you know, my my neighbors to just Just all around me that have the similar day to day routine, and we don't always know exactly what is going on because we're all Right? But it's still helpful knowing that we kind of have similar stance, how we're going into the day and just kind of different situation. So it it helps to be able to talk about it and and just kind of bounce ideas off of each other.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:08:28]:
And love being able to give ideas to others and I get ideas from them because if something is difficult that I I might have not Realized a solution or, like, a better way to do it, and then I talked to someone and got ideas gotten ideas, and I said, hey. That actually is gonna help my situation a lot. And sometimes it it doesn't, and it just helps to talk through it and then go about the day and kind of Know that there are people there that care and just provide support. I mean, I'd also say my family too. They're very supportive, and I have educators in the family. So Just having close people that I know will always support me no matter what. Just knowing what I at least having a close glimpse of what I am Just dealing with every day and what I am striving for in my career, that helps as well to just have that kinda close knit family. Just with my own family and then also just within the middle school staff.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:09:24]:
Now I know that every teacher kind of selects a Path for themselves. You you kind of mentioned there was an opening. You've applied for it, and you got into the middle school. You've been in the middle school now for a few years, and people that Are in middle school tend to love middle school or they don't like middle school because of just middle school in general. But tell me about what do you love most about working with middle schoolers?

Khonnor Longendyke [00:09:45]:
There is never a dull moment. We're doing middle schoolers. That's probably the first thing I'm gonna say. Just it's never boring. There's always excitement. I think the biggest thing I like about it is I mean, I see myself a lot in, you know, middle schoolers. Of course, you know, I was a middle schooler. But I think I just see especially kinda oriented it orienting it to being a special ed student in the middle school.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:10:10]:
I had different complications in school that I just staff. I had teachers that helped me with. And so I kinda see myself and especially my students, but also just, You know, other middle school students. I just love to be able to have conversations and help them through whatever they're going through or and also just just to be able to talk and just hear funny just funny things they might say or the students might just have these just just funny stories and never a dull moment, But it's definitely definitely is rewarding as as much as it it can get wild. Just being in the middle school, It's, definitely rewarding to be able to just help students through different situations and just hardships that middle school brings. So it's such a growing point middle school is. So I I think it just kind of my my spot that kinda holds a special place in my heart, just be able to, like, See the growth and just kind of, you know, maybe moving from one situation to the other. Just just be able to be there and and just the growing points of of their life and their education is definitely rewarding.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:11:15]:
Now every teacher that I have ever met is a storyteller. They have plenty of stories To share for positive, for negative, whatever it may be, and I think the kids bring many of those stories to you on a regular basis, You know? And the it it really brings those store it it allows for you to be able to either wear them on your sleeve, wear them in your heart, And allows for you, when we're talking about sustaining you in your role, it helps to push you along in your career. As you think back to your Chime in the district. Can you share a story with me that epitomizes for you the experience you've had as a staff member here in the district?

Khonnor Longendyke [00:11:50]:
Tell me the story that was coming. This is why I tried it. Try to keep a notebook so that my, thoughts are all down there and I can read them just because there's always as a teacher, there's so many things going through your head. But So this is a time where this is actually pretty recently after lunch. It's, 5th hour, and so it's My 6th graders had just had lunch. I'm having them read and they're kind of, you know, looking like tired and, and they just need like Some enthusiasm into this reading so they really because I don't want them to be reading and they're, you know, just, like, falling asleep because then they're not gonna know what they're reading. So I want some excitement in this, and I want them to enjoy it. So I tell them to read with their goofiest voice.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:12:34]:
And Armada said goofy voice, but they They did do, like, their goofiest voice, and they had some really goofy voices. And there's just this 1 student, he he started reading, And he just had this really funny accent. And so the whole class is just blurted out laughing And just were really like, they're really glued into the reading. And then I was like, okay, this is like perfect. Like, they're just, like, they're just having fun. And then they got me laughing. And I think that just really helped me just, like, keep just that mentality of just having fun, like, while learning. And just, I think that really just Reminding me why I want the teach anyway is not to, like, get all the the work done and then go home with the paycheck because The paycheck is not the biggest reward.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:13:23]:
It's really just being able to see these students just succeed and just really, like, Enjoying themselves too while they succeed too. Not just growing in something and then saying, oh, well, cool. But, like, really being proud and just having fun. So that was that was just a moment where they just had a lot of fun, and they were goofy. And and I usually have a student in that class that It takes a little while for them to get kind of motivated and wanting to do the material. And so last student was even just having a blast and Having a lot of fun. So that yeah. That kept me going.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:13:55]:
I don't always have my students reading those goofy voices. I had actually someone in this class ask Yesterday in Angola. For this story, we probably should just read in our regular Voyages so then we can really understand each other. But it's just fun to be able to just Do that just, you know, like, I we just did a chunk of the chapter, and it's I just, yeah, saw their excitement and just saw them being kids. Like, You know, I think of the question he asked about being middle schoolers. Sometimes I see him being kids, and sometimes I just see him being, like, just smaller adults where it's like, oh, man. We want responsibility, but We still want them to, like, you know, have fun like they're still kids.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:14:30]:
Well, Connor, I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for all that you do to engage our kids, whether it's whether it's through Silly voices or just engaging them in general, keeping them excited about learning and working with them to help them find that path to success No matter where they are in their education, and I truly wish you all the best.

Khonnor Longendyke [00:14:51]:
Thank you so much. Thanks for having me. This was fun.