Learning "In a Cup"

AUTHOR: RACHEL FROST

Region 10 Chief Communications Officer

“Are we going to do science on paper or in a cup?” In 32 years of teaching, that’s one student's question that has stuck with Randi Kerby throughout her career.

“At first I didn’t understand what he meant, but then I realized, he wants an experience,” Kerby explained. “It was the most brilliant way I’ve ever heard that said. So I always think, ‘What can I do to make this experience in a cup?’”

Kerby, who teaches fifth grade Science and Social Studies at Billie Stevenson Elementary in Rockwall ISD, strives to create “in a cup” experiences for her students as often as possible. One of those experiences she looks forward to every year is taking her students to an outdoor camp. Unfortunately, the district has had to cancel those trips for the past couple of years due to COVID.

In addition to dealing with the day-to-day challenges of COVID, Kerby has also been battling cancer. In September 2020 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After going through surgeries, chemo, and radiation, she learned in August 2021 that the cancer had metastasized to her bone. Still, she continues fighting, not only for her own health, but also to bring back those experiences that her students have missed out on the past two years.

“I feel like the past couple of years have been really hard on all of us. So we were determined to get the students something back that they were always supposed to have,” Kerby shared as she choked back tears. “I knew getting to go to camp was going to be really special for them.”

In March of this year, on what she described as the “perfect day,” Kerby loaded up on the bus with her students and headed to the Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp in Athens, Texas to participate in Region 10’s Academic Outdoors program.

Out at the camp, students explored the campgrounds and enjoyed participating in activities like archery, canoeing, s’more making, rappelling, and so much more. Throughout the day, students reflected on their experiences in their journals.

“One of the things I loved was hearing them apply or put into action the things that we had learned in the classroom - they were making those connections,” Kerby shared. “One of the prompts we put in the journal was ‘What is something you learned about yourself?’ It was very revealing to us what this experience meant to them. A lot of them wrote about trying something new that they had never done before. Something I saw over and over was, ‘I don’t give up.’ That’s a huge life lesson, especially through this difficult time.”

For Kerby, seeing her students try something new and difficult while not giving up is what matters most. Katie Braden, Rockwall ISD Elementary Science Coordinator, thinks it’s that can-do attitude that Kerby expects of herself and her students, that makes her such an exceptional educator.

“She pushes herself so hard to be the teacher that she has always been - even through everything she is going through,” Braden explained. “To be able to have that moment at the camp with them was so special, and the students are still talking about it. Now, she’s taking that experience and she’s talking about it with the students, and it just connects and threads through everything.”

It’s those connections between the experiences and the learning, and between Kerby and her students, that keeps her motivated every day.

“I wish nobody would have cancer, but I wish everybody could feel the love and support that I’ve felt,” Kerby said. “I am so grateful to still be able to be at school where I get the energy and encouragement I need from these kids.” “

"Everyday that she can be here, she is here and she is engaged with her kids,” Braden said. “Randi Kerby is a gem. She lights a fire for kids, and she supports other teachers across this district. If you want to see magic, just walk in and watch her teach.”

In the classroom or at a campsite, Kerby creates that magic “in a cup” for her students each and every day.