Chemistry teacher Kiana Reyes is stepping away from Mills. Mills is the first school Reyes has worked at and has been here for the last six years. She felt that in order to prioritise more time with her young son, she needed to take some time off from teaching. “Just being a mom for the first time, and getting to watch him develop, and he’s changing every week,” Reyes states. She continued with, “I just realized how strongly I felt about wanting to be there for him the whole time, and just not miss anything as he’s growing and developing.”
While Reyes is looking forward to spending more time with her son, she will miss a lot about the Mills community. She mentions the Mills environment and the students. Reyes describes her experience at Mills by saying, “It’s been so lovely. The students are just really delightful to work with. And I just feel really fortunate that this is my first school, and I feel really fortunate to have worked with really supportive colleagues and just to have students that are really just genuine and lovely to work with.” Reyes has made a meaningful and positive impact in the Mills community, and The Thunderbolt wishes her the best of luck in all her future endeavours.
A letter from Ms. Reyes to the Mills community;
Dear Mills,
When I was in 8th grade, I figured out what I was gonna be when I grew up a vet. By the time I was a senior in high school, I realized I did not want to be a vet and instead wanted to be an engineer. On the verge of college graduation, I realized what I wanted to do instead- be a chemistry teacher. This is just the next iteration of me realizing what I want to do. I’m sure in five or so years I’ll realize what I want to do again- and again- and again as I continue to evolve and move into different seasons. With this little story, I hope to offer this encouragement: don’t worry about figuring out what to do with your life right now, you’re going to change your mind in a few years anyway 😉
While it is, of course, fulfilling to hear students say that they’ve learned so much from me as their teacher, I also want students to know that I have learned so much from them as well. My current and former students have been an example to me of thoughtfulness and generosity. I think one of the most significant impacts they’ve had on me is teaching me to value taking care of myself more. I have loved my season teaching chemistry at Mills, and feel fortunate to have had a job that brought so much joy and meaning to my life. I’m sure I’ll continue being an educator in whatever space I find myself in.
Love, Ms. Reyes
