Richland County teacher honored on ‘Today’ show for her efforts in COVID-19 pandemic
A teacher at a Richland County school was honored Monday on national television for the lengths she goes to to engage and educate her students.
As part of a week-long celebration of teachers on NBC’s “Today” show, Lakena Ackerman was singled out for her efforts at Southeast Middle School.
Ackerman is an award-winning eighth-grade social studies teacher at the Richland County District One school in Hopkins, which is the town where “Today” co-host and Columbia native Craig Melvin went to school.
The mother of five children was recognized for the creative ways she delivers lessons to her students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m crazy,” joked Ackerman. She was referring to the costumes she’ll wear to bring history to life, as she has dressed up as everything from a pharaoh, to a soldier from the Roman empire, an ancient sailor, and a Civil War general.
“Her ensembles are ripped straight out of the history books,” Melvin said on the program.
Ackerman told Melvin she likes to pick up new hats and costumes when she goes out, giving her an extensive wardrobe to work with for her students.
Some of her lessons incorporate popular music to resonate with the kids, including lessons formed from the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton.”
“I consider it my duty to make sure that (my students) go out into the world as the next citizens of Hopkins, South Carolina, United States, globally. I think if they understand that they have a voice, they’ll change the world,” Ackerman said on the morning TV program.
Along with Ackerman, several of her students appeared on the “Today” show via a Zoom call. They praised their teacher.
“I love how she makes every day fun for us,” Kasia Chapman said on the program. “… Every single day, you never knew what to expect in her class. It was always something new and interesting.”
Other students on the call could be seen smiling and nodding in agreement.
Hearing those kind words had Ackerman fighting back her emotions. She made it clear the teacher enjoys the learning process as much as her students.
“They make my job not even a job. They make it fun for me, too,” Ackerman said.
Earlier this year, Ackerman was named the 2020 Middle School Mock Trial Teacher of the Year by the South Carolina Bar’s Law-Related Education Division. Her team was the 2019-2020 state middle school champion team.
The award, which includes a $1,000 cash prize and a plaque, recognizes teachers who have implemented quality law-related education programs and helped students recognize their legal duties and rights, according to Richland One.
“It’s the way she teaches, it’s not like a regular teacher,” former student Ma’Kai Jenkins told WLTX when it named Ackerman Teacher of the Week in November 2019. “She does different things to make people want to learn.”
This story was originally published September 21, 2020 at 12:41 PM.
