Emerson has welcomed a new chemistry teacher to pick things up for the rest of the year. Kala Hill is an advanced chemistry teacher for the second semester. Her education background is striking, including 14 years of educational experience working in Frisco and Richardson ISD.

“My first five years were at JJ Pierce High School teaching chemistry, advanced chemistry, [and] a class about earth, wind and fire,” Hill said.

However, she did not always have a leaning towards teaching as a career. She got the opportunity to try a free college teaching course called UTeach. This offered her a different experience, one that she could remember. Teaching kept Hill engaged, causing her to pursue it further.

“And all the courses were fun, but the teaching was really fun,” Hill said.

 Hill expresses that finding a sense of direction in a brand new school is a difficult task. However, Hill feels that her experience with Emerson has been overall positive so far.

“Oh, it’s been so much fun,” Hill said. “The kids are so sweet. They actually asked me to teach them. I loved it.”

The aim of her teaching is to inspire students. Her love for chemistry grows as she sees her students’ career options having been affected by her teaching.

“I break down in tears when [my old students] message me after [they] left and say, ‘Mrs. Hill, your class was so fun. I majored in chemistry and now I’m going to be the chemist,’”Hill said.

For the remaining semester of school, Hill hopes to learn new things from not only students, but from the teachers around her. She is excited to meet new teachers, students and experience life in Emerson.

“So everywhere I go, I like to try and learn something from the people around me,” Hill said.