In this episode of Teaching in Color, we sit down with Anaia Lachelle Hawkins—also known as Ms. H—a 24-year-old second-year teacher from Kalamazoo, Michigan, whose path into education was anything but traditional. After earning her degree in Criminal Justice/Legal Studies, Anaia found herself stepping into the classroom just one week after graduation. Now teaching 5th grade in a self-contained classroom, she reflects on the challenges of new-age parenting, the overwhelming responsibilities of educators, and how schools often fall short in supporting their teachers.

Anaia opens up about:

• Her journey from parapro to teacher

• What “new school” teaching really feels like

• The link between parenting shifts and student growth

• The silence around teacher compensation and burnout

This is an honest, heartfelt, and deeply insightful conversation about what it really means to show up for kids every single day.