MY WHY - Kayla Weiner, Second Grade Teacher at Field

Growing up the daughter of an educator, Kayla Weiner seemed destined to follow a similar path.

Although she never attended District 21 as a student, her journey ultimately led her there. Kayla grew up in Buffalo Grove with her two older sisters, Jenna and Samantha (who are both Tarkington alumnaes – read more about Jenna here!). She attended Wee Willies Preschool in Buffalo Grove before moving to District 102 schools and later attending Stevenson High School. Education was a constant in her life, shaped largely by her parents’ deep ties to Wheeling High School, where her father served as the school’s athletic director, P.E teacher, and successful wrestling coach, and her mother worked as Wheeling’s administrative assistant.

From an early age, Kayla knew she wanted a career centered on helping others. She began at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal as a nursing major, but soon realized it was not the right fit. Through conversations with peers and mentors, and reflecting on her own experiences working with children, she shifted to elementary education with an ESL endorsement. Her time participating in Stevenson’s Little Patriots program and her work as a camp counselor gave her early opportunities to build relationships with kids, something she quickly recognized as work she was passionate about.

Kayla completed her degree, despite the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic during her junior year. As a senior, she student-taught at Field Elementary, an experience that would shape her future. She later earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University in River Forest and has remained a part of the Field community, where she now teaches second grade.

In her classroom, Kayla works with a diverse group of learners in a sheltered English setting. She prioritizes building trust and strong relationships, creating a space where students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. She does not believe a quiet classroom is necessarily a successful one. Instead, she encourages collaboration and peer-to-peer learning, weaving social-emotional development throughout the day. She understands that at this age, confidence and connection are just as important as academic growth.

Kayla’s own experiences as a student influence her teaching. As a child, she was shy and often anxious about speaking in front of others. It was her second-grade and third-grade teachers who helped her find her voice, an experience that continues to shape her approach. “I recognize that I still remember how much of an impact my second-grade teacher had on me. I know that my students could potentially have those same memories of me. I want to make sure that my impact is a positive one.” She now strives to create that same sense of belonging and confidence for her students.

Outside the classroom, Kayla enjoys staying active. She bikes, runs, enjoys strength training, and participates in “boot camp” workouts, coached by her sister Jenna. She is also a group fitness instructor, a role that has strengthened her confidence and leadership. At home, she enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with her adorable one-year-old red golden retriever, Mater (as in the beloved animated tow truck).

For Kayla, teaching is both a personal (some of her current students are the children of her father’s former students) and professional calling. Influenced by her parents and grounded in her own experiences, she is committed to creating a classroom where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

If you know someone who embodies the spirit and values of our school district—whether a student, staff member, or alumnus —we’d love to hear about them! Please send their name and a few details to [email protected]  so we can consider featuring their story in an upcoming profile.