Kayla Mefferd

Some teachers believe a quiet and calm environment might be best for learning, but Kayla Mefferd, new teacher at Arlington Elementary School, believes the opposite.

Mrs. Mefferd teaches 1st grade at Arlington Elementary School. “First grade is definitely my favorite because it is such a rigorous year that lays down the foundation for the rest of a child’s educational career.”

Kayla has been teaching for twelve years and has worked with multiple grades and schools. She grew up in Pennsylvania, and she has lived in Washington and Florida as well. Her and her husband Jerad, who is in the United States Navy, have two children that both attend Arlington Elementary School. Mefferd loves being outdoors, working out, and spending as much time with her family as possible.

Movement and audible collaboration with her students is one of Mefferd’s primary teaching strategies. She believes these factors are healthy practices.

“I LOVE to incorporate movement into my teaching. Movement is so healthy for the mind, body, and soul. So, I utilize movement in every lesson of every day in my classroom. Our classroom is not quiet. We are active in our learning and you will hear us answering as a whole, talking with peers, working in small groups, and completing independent work to show our learning.”

Working with younger kids can be a struggle and takes patience, but Kayla loves that aspect of the job. “I expect them to be loud, messy, and talkative. It is my job to design lessons that bring their six and seven year old bodies and brains into focus through structured engaging lessons where they all perform. I love working with young students!”

While it can be challenging to move to a new district and make friends, she said, “Learning the routines and procedures specific to the district, socializing, working with a new team, and making new friends are all challenging aspects. Arlington Community Schools has been so helpful and easy to move into. I am so very thankful for that! Arlington Community Schools takes true pride in creating a warm, welcoming environment.”