Now that we’re approaching the halfway point of the year, we’ve had the chance to familiarize ourselves with some of the new faces that have joined the nest. Ms. Daena Groves is one of them, continuing the program of the personal development course also taught by Ms. Nagode. In this course students practice skills for post-secondary life, such as students setting and meeting weekly academic and personal goals. They also meet with Groves to discuss their progress. Groves shares that she has been teaching for just over 16 years, beginning in 2007. She’s led classrooms all over Colorado, having taught at a middle school and later a high school. Her teaching career began in Durango.
“I moved to Denver in 2016 and taught at Bruce Randolph School, and then moved to Goddard for four years,” she shares.
Groves’ passion for preparing students to become more than just students is clear through her prolonged involvement of guiding young adults at two of the most crucial times for educational and personal development; middle and high school. At Heritage, she joins a staff fueled by the passion of leading young adults onto a successful path, making her a great fit. “For one, when I knew I was gonna be moving from Goddard, I knew I wanted to stay in-district and teach for LPS. I’d heard lots of great things about Heritage and, with living close, I knew that it was the right place for me.”
It’s expected that impressions will change from what they were pre-arrival to now having been at Heritage for what is nearing a full semester. For Groves, there has been change, but it’s a positive change. “So far, it’s been really great. I would say it’s very welcoming here. Students are super friendly and I love the culture. The enthusiasm is really unique, too, especially for things like homecoming and spirit days.”
Each teacher has their own way of connecting with their students, and it’s intriguing to find out how Groves has seen her teaching style transform and evolve, especially since she is a teacher who has changed not only schools, but school districts, several times. If one word were to describe her teaching style, it would be collaboration; she speaks of how big into relationship building she is and how she values having the classroom culture feel comfortable for students.
“I’m someone who likes a lot of collaboration and group discussions; I like students to be able to take ownership of their learning and have them feel comfortable asking questions. Ultimately, I want them to feel like they aren’t just having to sit through the class; I want them to feel motivated by what they learn and have it drive them to think about things in new ways.”
She has found a home here at Heritage, where her collaborative style is rewarded and her love for human connection makes her fit right in. Groves’ kind of energy and passion is life-changing for the students that cross her path, especially since the majority of them are freshmen, for whom guidance is pivotal.