5 Questions with Ms. Kubly

Troy Kubly, Special Education/Resource Teacher at .

Kubly is the teacher behind The Learning Lab at Wood Canyon—a special education classroom that works with various levels of student development. Some students spend 50 percent of their day in regular classes and the other 50 percent at The Learning Lab. Others spend just 30 minutes with Kubly.

Kubly works with students from kindergarten through fifth grade with different levels of educational growth. Some of her students have autism, behavior setbacks, academic deficits or are a grade level behind in learning.

Years at current school/district: Kubly has been teaching at Wood Canyon for one year, but began teaching within the Capo district in 2004. During the 2009 layoffs she lost her job. Kubly received the teacher of the year award after her first year back in the Capo district at Wood Canyon.

Favorite memory from teaching career:
One of Kubly's favorite memories from teaching has become a slogan for her family at home. When it happened however, she would not have considered it a favorite.

Kubly had a substitute for just about an hour during the day. Her classroom was about 90 percent ready to host a slew of families for back to school night—months worth of student art perfectly displayed on the wall. Kubly forgot to warn her substitute of a particularly tricky student, who in a time of frustration took a black crayon to every piece of art on the wall.

At home, when anyone in the family has a hard day they come home and say, "We had a black crayon day," Kubly said.

What are some teaching hardships you face?
Kubly said she sees three life hardships that leak into the classroom. Children who don't have enough food and come to class hungry, kids whom struggle having a family who looks different, and children with incarcerated parents.

Kubly said she does her best to step in when she can with snacks, suggestions for the free or reduced lunch program and discussions about the love that can be found within any family.

It is easy to tell which children may not be getting enough food or sleep, Kubly said.

"That could be what gets them in trouble with their classes," she said.

What makes Ms. Kubly's class unique?
Kubly's class is very individualistic, she said. She generally works with students who need a specific type of attention. Kubly customizes daily activities to what specific students needs to succeed. The main goal of The Learning Lab is to transition as many students into regular classes as possible.

Kubly said one to two students out of 35 this year would be making a 100 percent transition.

What was Ms. Kubly's favorite subject when she was in school?
History.

Kubly didn't just like history growing up—she lived in. She grew up in Gettysburg, Penn. and her grandfather's farm was right next door to the Eisenhower farm.

"You have to like it and learn it there," she said.

What are Ms. Kubly's hobbies?
Kubly said she loves watching basketball, specifically when her son is playing. She also loves walking her dog at the beach and travelling. With 21 years as a flight attendant in her suitcase, she's seen a lot. The trip to Vietnam that is currently being planned and a desire to see the pyramids in Egypt means her passport is far from retirement.