NAME: Antwoin La’Vale McKee

TITLE: Prekindergarten Lead Teacher & Before-Care and After-Care Coordinator at Berkley/Campostella Early Childhood Education Center

YEARS WITH NPS: 16

WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

I truly love working in the community where I was raised. It’s a privilege for me to educate relatives, my friends’ children and grandchildren. I’m devoted to providing a quality and unforgettable education experience for children from my neighborhood. When I’m out in the community, it warms my heart to see former and current students. It’s also a tear jerker to hear the students and their parents respectfully say that I was a positive role model and influence in their lives. Whoever would have thought it? Antwoin McKee is a teacher! 

IF YOU COULD TELL THE WHOLE COMMUNITY ONE THING ABOUT NPS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I’ve travel extensively throughout the United States, and I realized that teachers and employees of Norfolk are a notch above the rest. Norfolk Public Schools truly produces world class students, teachers, and other employees. As the saying goes, “If you can succeed in Norfolk, you can do it anywhere.”
 
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOUR COWORKERS DO NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Not many people know the commitment and dedication I have to providing positive and memorable life experiences to children and adults through travel and dining. I believe that wealth is not measured by the amount of money one accumulates in a lifetime, but by the rich life experiences one bestows to another. Positive and rich life experiences are priceless and eternal. They last forever.

WHAT WAS A RECENT BOOK YOU READ OR MOVIE YOU SAW, AND WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHERS?

Currently, I’m rereading “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. This book gives insight on how people at a young age make sense of love and how they express it. It also teaches one to recognize and value the love languages of others in our lives. It’s a great resource for building affirmative and healthy relationships.

DID YOU ATTEND NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS? IF SO, WHICH ONES AND WHEN?

I’m the oldest of four siblings who are lifetime residents of Norfolk and products of its educational system. My siblings and I attended all of the same schools. I began my formal education in 1977 at Sherwood Forest and graduated from Lake Taylor Senior High in 1990. I also attended St. Helena Elementary and Lake Taylor Jr. High. At Sherwood Forest and St. Helena, I had the opportunity to teach the same grades and in the same classrooms I sat in as a student.

TITLE: Instructional Specialist at Tanners Creek Elementary School.

YEARS WITH NPS:  23 years

WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

The most rewarding thing I do is helping the students reach and exceed mastery in objectives they have struggled with. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they realize they can do it.

IF YOU COULD TELL THE WHOLE COMMUNITY ONE THING ABOUT NPS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Norfolk Public Schools is a school system that builds relationships. It provides many opportunities for us to grow and get to know each other - not only our coworkers, but our administrators, students and their parents, and local community members as well.

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOUR COWORKERS DO NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?
 Something my coworkers may not know about me is that I am very competitive. I do not like being at the bottom or coming in last place in anything that I participate in.

WHAT WAS A RECENT BOOK YOU READ OR MOVIE YOU SAW, AND WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHERS?

I just finished reading a book that was recommended to me called “Heaven is for Real!” by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent. I couldn’t put it down. Thanks Kindel and Celeste!  Yes, I  recommend it.