D’Souza named Thomas County Central Teacher of the Year

Published 12:13 pm Wednesday, March 15, 2023

THOMASVILLE – For educator Kensey D’Souza, no subject choice existed but English.

“In school, reading and writing were the only things that interested me,” she said. “Literature is a mirror of life. Everything is relevant. I live and breathe books, reading, writing, storytelling – all of it.”

However, teaching is not something D’Souza ever envisioned for her future.

“I saw how hard my mother worked as a teacher, and I never wanted to work that hard,” she said. “I wanted to be a writer; I guess fate sometimes has other plans.”

Still, D’Souza’s passion for literature, writing and helping others learn made teaching a solid career choice.

“Teaching English allows for creativity, communication, organization and empathy, as well as a dynamic and challenging work environment,” she said. “I enjoy what I do. There is a quote that says something like, ‘Blessed are people who plant trees knowing that they shall never sit in the shade of their foliage.’ As educators, we plant seeds and hope that something will grow.”

And it must have been a true calling because D’Souza is the Thomas County Central High School 2023 Teacher of the Year.

“It is wonderful to know that my hard work and dedication have been recognized,” an honored and elated D’Souza said. “I am dedicated to being a lifelong learner, and I try to better myself and others every day. I learn from my coworkers – past and present – daily and am privileged to work beside intelligent, innovative and passionate teachers.”

Pupil Aniya Nixon rates D’Souza a 10/10 teacher.

“I feel like she deserved the award because she does teach very well, and she’s an honest mentor,” Nixon said of D’Souza. “She helps out and doesn’t judge if you don’t understand anything she has taught. Her teaching style is very direct, and she will go over certain topics in case others don’t quite grasp the concepts. She is very nice, honest, sarcastic and funny.” 

After graduating with her bachelor’s in English and master’s in curriculum and instruction from Florida State University, D’Souza’s first interview – and first job offer – was at TCCHS. She’s been a faculty member since 2014.

D’Souza enjoys the school’s robust culture – a mixture of academics, fine arts, athletics and extracurricular activities. She co-sponsors the reading club Book Jackets, tutors after school, and serves as a mentor teacher. And while she appreciates this culture, the administrators and her coworkers, the kids are D’Souza’s favorite part of being a Yellow Jacket.

“We have good kids who make me laugh daily,” she said. “I always love hearing about their ideas. They give me hope for the future. I go to TCCHS each day knowing that I have a purpose in my work.”

Currently, D’Souza teaches tenth-grade inclusion and honors English classes. She strives to keep her classroom inviting and inclusive.

“My approach to teaching today’s students is to provide a student-centered learning environment that emphasizes active participation and engagement,” D’Souza said. “I want my students to feel comfortable expressing themselves and their ideas while in my class. My goal is for them to feel supported and respected.”

The educator prides herself on building relevant lessons using materials that will interest her students so they connect to the content. Examples of how she does so within her lessons include teaching persuasive devices using current commercials, discussing short stories’ themes as they relate to the real world, and comparing/contrasting today’s society/world with the one in “To Kill a Mockingbird”.

“Sharing literature with students is one of the best parts of this job,” she said. “I especially love teaching creative writing (her college focus). I like seeing the students open their eyes to being more creative rather than focusing on perfection or something analytical.”

D’atra Lomax, 14, said her teacher is the type of person who makes others smile.

“The thing that sets her apart from other teachers is the fact she gives us challenging assignments, but she always talks us through them,” Lomax said. “I would describe her as kind and very patient.”

D’Souza hopes she instills some of her passion for literature within her students.

“I hope they leave with a greater appreciation for literature, more curiosity, and increased critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills,” she said.

Also, she has insight to share with fellow educators.

“Do the best you can, but set boundaries; put yourself first,” D’Souza said. “You can’t pour from an empty cup. As a teacher, there are a lot of things we can’t control; let those go and focus on the things you can. When I was first hired, Jamie Thompson (current TCCHS principal) gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever received: he said, ‘Learn to say no.’” 

Married to her husband of four years, Joey, the couple parents two dogs – Quincy and Woodrow, unintentionally both carrying presidential names. Off the clock, D’Souza loves traveling, cooking, running, and tasting new foods. Neither has she abandoned her writer aspirations.

“One day, I would love to write a book and create pretty stationery,” she said.

But she’ll never forget the motivating and inspiring teacher of the year designation.

“It affirms my commitment to teaching and encourages me to continue striving for excellence in my work,” D’Souza said. “I think of this recognition as an opportunity to celebrate the critical role that teachers play in shaping the future by inspiring the next generation of leaders, innovators and thinkers.”