The great author and poet Maya Angelou said, “I‘ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
At Hansberry College Prep, we not only teach our students, but we build great relationships with them and seek to create a safe, supportive environment. We are so grateful for the teachers who put both hard work and their hearts into supporting our students and families. When asking the recently-graduated Class of 2024 which teacher had an impact on them, made them feel safe and supported, and taught from their mind and led with their heart, many named Katherin Duprey—an English Language Arts teacher who has been teaching for eight years. We sat down with Duprey to get to know more about her and her passion for teaching.
Q: What keeps you in the classroom? What’s the reason behind the work you do?
A: “Understanding the value of options that an education brings has kept me in the classroom. I was the first in my family to graduate from a university, and it gave me access and options that my parents did not have. I want our students to be able to choose whether or not they attend college next year and make that decision because they have access to that option, not because they’re forced into it.”
Q: If you could go back to your first year of teaching, what would you say to yourself based on what you know now?
A: “Trust the process. Change is always uncomfortable, but don’t be afraid of it. You will grow in every season, and that growth will make you a better teacher.”
Q: What is one of your best memories so far in teaching?
A: “One of my best memories was graduating my first advisory. When I started with them, I was a first-year teacher and struggling with all the things that come with that role. As the years went on, I built lasting relationships with many of them and still have the privilege of being a part of all of the great things they’re doing in their lives now.”
Q: Tell us a little bit about your life outside of teaching. What are some of your hobbies? Family life?
A: “Outside of teaching, I love spending time with my family. My son is about to be three years old, so he is very active and keeps me on my toes. Whether it’s getting together for family dinner or having a movie night, I look forward to quality time and fun memories.”
Duprey with her family.
Q: What do you want students to know as they leave your classroom?
A: “I want students to leave my space knowing that their voice matters. They all have the ability to impact the people and the world around them. I want them to know that they can walk into any space and be successful in it because they have amazing ideas to share, and they can break any barrier in their way.”
Q: When we asked the seniors who their favorite teacher was, most of them named you. What do you think draws students to you? How do you build relationships with your students?
A: “I try very hard to show my students that I care about them. This job is difficult, and it is not just about teaching them literature and analyzing texts. Oftentimes, we are met with the unspoken obstacles that our students face outside of school. Some days, they come in energetic and ready to tackle the tasks for the day. Other days, they come in upset and unable to focus, and I feel like I’m repeating myself a thousand times. No matter the mistakes they make or the struggles they’re facing, every day is a new day. I greet them with the same excitement and sarcasm each day because they matter.
No one is perfect, and I hope they know that I’m never expecting perfection; I expect progress. They are capable of great things, and I hope my relationships with them help push them to see some of that greatness.”
Q: What is your greatest achievement so far in your career?
A: “My greatest achievement so far has been serving as an advisor. There is a different kind of relationship and bond that’s developed by spending all four years together. I’m honored to still get phone calls and invitations to share in life’s biggest moments with my former group of girls and I hope that continues after graduating my current group of young ladies.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: “In 10 years, I hope to still be teaching.”
Duprey by her classroom door.
