Catching Up With Khana Riley Rebman '05

Khana Riley Rebman '05 spent twelve years of her life at Shorecrest—and this year she's making it thirteen! Khana, or Mrs. Rebman as she's known these days, recently returned to Shorecrest to teach third grade.

 

Following graduation from Shorecrest in 2005, Khana matriculated to Connecticut College, where she was awarded a four year scholarship. She earned a degree in human development and then attended the University of New Hampshire where she earned her graduate degree in elementary education. She then moved back to Florida where she began working in the Pinellas County Public School system. Over the next  five years, Khana taught grades 2-5 in two different Pinellas Schools. This year, Khana decided that it was time to come back to Shorecrest.

We caught up with Khana earlier this month to find out how she's adjusting to life back on campus.

It's really surreal. I really enjoy seeing the teachers who were here when I was a student. I'm so glad those teachers are still around so I get a chance to connect with them on a different level. It's funny when they tell me to call them by their first names though… I just can't get used to that! It really is great to be back here at this place that gave me so much.

 

My grandmother, who basically raised me, is a retired educator with the public school system. When I was a kid and she would bring home her teachers' editions, I would walk around the house with those editions and act like I was the teacher, lining up my teddy bears as my students. She taught a wide range of grades and kids, and even taught at some behavioral centers, working with kids who needed a little extra love and a different classroom approach. As a kid, I saw her impact on the lives of her students.

 

I also tutored all throughout high school, and I just loved working with a student and seeing that light bulb go off in that child's mind. When it's no longer about them getting the right answer—when they really grasp a concept. Seeing that is a feeling like no other! I really enjoy being able to make that difference and figuring out how to make that light bulb go off for every kid.

 

I think all those experiences helped mold me and push me into education.

 

 

Shorecrest offers a very different experience for faculty than I'm used to. I'm looking forward to the endless potential with our curriculum—the emphasis on project-based learning gives us so many options. We can really take that anywhere.

 

I'm also looking forward to my professional development. The teaching professionals here are just amazing. I'm being exposed to elements of curriculum and best practices that we didn't necessarily need in the public school system. I'm really just excited about the endless possibilities!

 

I have so many great memories—my time here as a student was the best!