Upon first glance, chemistry seems extremely complex, filled with what appears to be a handful of intricate gibberish terms combined with difficult work. While this may be true, Ms. Kayla Best decodes the subject, teaching her students to succeed in chemistry. By putting her best effort and time into her lessons, she creates an environment where students can easily enjoy learning.
Best always had a passion for chemistry, rooting from high school when it was her favorite subject. In only her fifth year of teaching, she has quickly become one of her students’ favorites. It is her effort and commitment to the course that speaks to her students and encourages them in her honors chemistry course.
“[Best] puts in a lot of effort to help her students, even when she is stressed,” WCHS sophomore and Honors Chemistry student Madison Manne said. “My grade in the class is really great. Instead of dreading class every day, I look forward to it.”
Best believes in all her students, wanting them to feel that they can really succeed in her rigorous course. One of the best ways she does this is by breaking down the units into smaller, more digestible concepts along with captivating activities.
“I love creating lessons and activities that are both fun and engaging,” Best said. “It is very rewarding to take a chemistry topic and turn it into a game or hands-on activity that allows students to learn and practice while enjoying their time in class.”
The time spent on her lesson plans and activities does not go unnoticed by her students. Since chemistry units build off of each other, Best makes sure her students fully understand the material, compared to memorizing concepts and then forgetting them after a singular assessment.
“One of the most rewarding moments is when students realize that the chapters we cover are not isolated units, rather interconnected concepts that build on each other and are essential throughout the entire year,” Best said. “It is exciting to help them see how everything ties together.”
Furthermore, Best is a firm believer that all her students can obtain success in her class. In addition to providing a great foundation for her students through her lesson plans, she is very approachable and patient for her students.
“I always feel comfortable asking for help from Ms. Best,” Manne said. “She has never made me feel judged for asking a question and always makes sure that I understand the concept before walking away.”
For Best, her passion for chemistry is one of the enriching aspects of teaching. When students come to her classroom for help, she strives to clear up any misconceptions and confusion of the topic at hand.
“When I help a student grasp a concept they have been struggling with, [it] is such a rewarding moment,” Best said. “Seeing that light bulb moment when everything clicks is incredibly fulfilling.”
