In classrooms across the country, educators do so much more than teach lessons. They build trust, nurture confidence and help students imagine futures they may not yet believe are possible.

 

 

At its best, teaching is deeply human work rooted in care, consistency and connection. For one University of Kansas graduate and current master’s student, teaching has always been about his goals of service, representation and long-term impact. 

Javen Betts earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education from KU and is on track to graduate in May 2026 with a Master of Science in Education in Educational Administration.

His story reflects the lasting value of an education degree, and the profound influence educators can have on students and communities.

From Kansas Roots to Classroom Impact

Javen grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and now teaches at an elementary school in Overland Park, Kansas. Raised in a family of educators, he saw the work up close from an early age. “Growing up in a family of educators inspired me,” he said. “They showed me firsthand the power teachers have to shape lives and create lasting change.”

“I always knew I wanted to work in public service and make a meaningful impact in my community,” he shared. “Teaching felt like a natural path, especially because representation matters in a field that urgently needs more Black male professionals.”

That sense of purpose continues to guide him. For Javen, teaching is about so much more than classroom instruction. It is about showing up for students every day and helping them see their own potential.

Teaching Beyond the Lesson Plan

Some of the most meaningful moments in teaching happen outside of formal instruction. Javen shared a few of his favorite memories with students that proved he was making an impact.

“One moment that really stood out to me was when a student who had been struggling both academically and behaviorally began seeking me out for support instead of shutting down,” he explained. 

Over time, the change was clear, not just in academic performance, but in confidence. “When that student told me they felt seen and believed in for the first time at school, it reinforced for me that teaching is about more than content; it’s about relationships and showing students that someone genuinely cares about their success.”

That belief is central to how he defines the profession. “Teaching is powerful because it is one of the few professions where your work shapes both the present and the future at the same time.” Educators, he said, “build trust, affirm identity, and create spaces where students feel seen, valued, and capable.”

Hope and Purpose in the Classroom

Javen also emphasized that part of the joy he finds in his job is helping students build confidence, no matter their circumstances. “A moment with a student I’ll never forget is when he asked me, ‘Do you really believe I can go to college and be successful?’ despite the challenges he faced at home and not having his parents around,” said Javen.

His example underscores the importance of encouragement. “Showing students that you see their potential can inspire them to believe in themselves, even when the odds feel stacked against them,” he shared. Creating classrooms where students feel safe to speak, grow and take risks is at the heart of his work.

Javen’s outlook on education is grounded in optimism and responsibility. 

“I feel hopeful about the future of education because we are intentionally cultivating change agents — students and educators who are critically aware, community-centered, and committed to equity.”
—    Javen Betts, Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas

That hope is fueled by the students he teaches. “The next generation inspires me to show up fully every day,” he said. 

Shaped by the KU School of Education and Human Sciences Experience

Javen’s preparation at the University of Kansas played a key role in shaping his approach to teaching and leadership. “My experience at KU helped shape me into the educator I am today by providing a high-quality program grounded in both theory and real-world practice,” shared Javen.

Faculty members brought expertise and lived experience into the classroom, challenging him to teach with intention. One lesson, which he credits to Dr. Karen Jorgensen, continues to guide his work: “What’s modeled is important, and what’s important must be modeled.”

He also carries a reminder that relationships come first. “Kids don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” Because of that foundation at KU, he said, “I feel more confident stepping into the classroom as a prepared educator, knowing I have the training, experience, and credibility that come with a degree from a respected program.”

Growing as an Educator and Leader: KU’s Online Master’s in Educational Administration 

While teaching full-time, Javen has also chosen to pursue a master’s degree in educational administration. “I want to continue growing as an educator and expand the ways I can make an impact,” he noted.

His long-term goals include school leadership, district-level administration, and eventually teaching and mentoring future educators at the collegiate level. While Javen acknowledges that balancing work and graduate study can be challenging, he has found it to be especially meaningful as he navigates the classroom. 
 

“Balancing teaching and graduate school taught me the value of time management, perseverance, and staying focused on long-term goals. It also reinforced that growth often comes from pushing beyond your comfort zone and that the lessons I’m learning now will make me a stronger, more effective educator and leader.”
— Javen Betts

Javen emphasized that graduate school while teaching full-time is manageable, and worth the effort: “Graduate school strengthens your skills, expands your perspective, and equips you to have an even greater impact on your students and your career. If you’re motivated and willing to put in the work, it can absolutely be done.”

The Heart of Teaching

Javen hopes that years from now, students remember “my passion for teaching, my genuine care for who they are beyond the classroom, and the high expectations I held for them because I truly believed in their potential.” For him, teaching isn’t just about academics. “I believe teachers can change lives, mindsets, and the trajectory of a student’s future.”

Javen’s story is a reminder that an educator’s influence often stretches far beyond the classroom. He finds value in the connections he builds and the care he shows in the classroom, and he hopes that’s what sticks with his students throughout their lives.