Kenzie Kaper began her journey at TASIS in 2016 as a Middle School intern and has since dedicated seven years to teaching 3rd grade. Her educational path took an interesting turn—after initially pursuing Art History and Archaeology to carve her own identity separate from her teaching family, she discovered her true calling post-graduation. Kaper returned to academia to earn a master's degree in International Education while simultaneously beginning her career at TASIS, proving that teaching was indeed "in the genes" despite her earlier resistance. Beyond her classroom responsibilities, Kaper serves as a Middle School Girls Soccer coach and a dorm parent for 10th- and 11th-grade boys in Hadsall, intentionally involving herself across multiple school divisions to build comprehensive relationships throughout the institution. This cross-divisional engagement reflects her commitment to creating meaningful connections beyond her immediate teaching environment, demonstrating how educators can foster community-wide relationships within an international school setting. Her professional evolution from intern to established faculty member showcases the growth opportunities available within the school's supportive framework, where educators can explore multiple roles and develop diverse skill sets while maintaining their primary teaching responsibilities.
Kaper's teaching philosophy centers on creating "a safe, caring space where every student feels valued and respected," emphasizing that emotional growth matters equally to academic development at the elementary level. She focuses on cultivating kindness, empathy, and respect while modeling problem-solving and a growth mindset for her young learners. What she appreciates most about teaching at TASIS is the vibrant communauté—both the students from around the world and her colleagues who form a supportive professional network. The small class sizes enable her to know each student deeply, while the faculty community provides both personal and professional support, particularly valuable for educators living far from home. Kaper specifically chose elementary education because she finds third graders represent "the sweet spot" of teaching—they maintain the excitement and joy of younger children while developing greater independence that allows for more challenging academic engagement. Her connection to TASIS began unexpectedly through literature; she read Sharon Creech's 'Bloomability' in middle school, which featured the school and sparked her initial interest. For her students' futures, Kaper hopes they maintain their curiosity and hard work while developing into kind, caring individuals who contribute positively to the world around them. She also offers wisdom for students feeling pressure about their future paths, noting that she didn't discover her calling until after university, demonstrating that career paths can unfold organically through continued effort and openness to opportunity.
