Literacy

Hi! I'm Beckie Kenter and I began my education career long before I decided to be a teacher. I earned a bachelor's degree in botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2009 and worked as a scientist after graduating. In 2011, my husband and I moved to Colorado, where I started volunteering for the American Red Cross as a Youth Emergency Preparedness presenter. While with the Red Cross, I realized how much I enjoyed working with kids, so I quit my job as a scientist and took a position with the Colorado Reading Corps. During my time in the Corps, I realized how much I enjoyed teaching, and with a nudge from an amazing mentor, I decided to become a teacher. In 2015, I graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a post-baccalaureate degree in elementary education. In 2016, I moved again, this time to Utah, where I am delighted to be the Literacy Master Teacher for Franklin Discovery Academy! 

My teaching philosophy is very learner-centered, putting the child and their needs first. I believe that children learn best when they create their own knowledge and I aim to provide a basis of exploratory learning in my instruction. My background in science has made me especially curious about the world around me, and I want to share that curiosity with my kids. Because of this, my main goal as an educator is not to fill children's heads with facts, but to teach them how to be life-long learners and problem solvers. Franklin Discovery's model fosters this kind of learning and I am grateful to be teaching at such a revolutionary school. Their rigorous expectations for both students and staff have led me to pursue my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and to continue to strive to do what is best for kids. 

In my free time, I love to hike, read, enjoy Christmas lights, and go to the movies with my husband, Justin. I also enjoy distance running, and I'm currently training for my 2nd half marathon. My little family also includes my dogs, Rowen and Frank Zappa, and my betta fish, Ned.