As a fifth generation Buford graduate, it was probably inevitable that Kayla McBryant came back to Buford to teach first grade. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I absolutely love teaching and don’t know of any other career I’d rather do,” McBryant said. “The days are long and very tiring, but getting little hugs from my first grade babies and seeing them excited to walk in my classroom is such a special feeling.”
McBryant didn’t always know she wanted to be a teacher. In fact, as a student growing up in the Buford school system, she admittedly struggled in school.
“I always struggled in my academics, and I had to study really hard for things that came easily to others. My mom ended up taking me to the doctor during my junior year to chat about my attentiveness at school. Turns out, I was diagnosed with ADD,” McBryant said. “Once I was diagnosed, my grades and my focus at school really made a drastic change for the better. I’m so grateful to my parents and my teachers who helped me during this change. With my ADD diagnosis, I feel like I am able to better understand my students who might also struggle with attention in school.”
After graduating in 2010, she worked at a law office before accepting a parapro position at Buford Elementary. From there, she gained the experience necessary to work in a kindergarten and first grade special education classroom, where she fell in love with working with kids. McBryant decided to enroll at the University of North Georgia and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Upon graduating from UNG, she taught first grade in Forsyth County for three years before being hired at Buford Academy three years ago.
“I’m forever grateful to Mrs. Vo and the Board of Education for allowing me to come back and teach in the same school system that helped shape who I am today,” McBryant said.
Looking back on her high school years, McBryant recalled pivotal moments that put her on the path to becoming a teacher. Those moments came from influential teachers like Bonnie Davis and Casey Laws, who both taught math.
“In both of their classes, they could be teaching a new concept and, afterward, they could look at me and know I did not grasp anything. They didn’t get upset or frustrated but they would simply look at me and ask, ‘Where did I lose you or how can I help you?’” McBryant said. “I think those moments are super evident in why I became a teacher. I want to be that teacher for my students.”
While in high school, McBryant was a presence in both athletics and the arts. She was a member of the girls basketball program all four years, including her junior and senior years when the team won its first and second state championships under coach Gene Durden. She also enjoyed serving as a statistician for the baseball team in addition to being part of the chorus program and performing in the annual Variety Show with former longtime choral director Chris Fowler.
“When I look back on high school, memories that really stand out to me are from my years in the basketball program. I formed so many friendships through basketball that I am so grateful for,” McBryant said. “If you have been around Buford long enough, you know one of our big games each year was against Greater Atlanta Christian. We played GAC one night, and won, but played terribly. We came in dreading practice the next day. When we walked in, Coach Durden put us all on the line and we just knew we were about to sprint or run, but then he threw a huge bag of dodgeballs on center court and let us play dodgeball. For those that don’t know, Coach Durden has a soft side. You just rarely see it.”
When she’s not actively attending an event in the Buford community, McBryant enjoys being with her husband, Ben, a 2008 Buford graduate, and their two young children, Harleigh and Hank, ages 4 and 2, respectively.
“My family and I try to attend as many events as we can. Our favorite week is Homecoming week because we love the dress up days and the parade,” she said. “I also love to go watch the girls basketball games during the season. My dad has been over the park and rec department since he was in his 20s so we are always watching rec football and basketball when we can.”
McBryant’s parents, Ken and Kelli Burge, are well-known in the Buford community as well. Her brother, Tyler, graduated in 2012.
A true hometown girl, McBryant’s life has come full-circle. Born and raised in Buford, she’s back in the community she loves, teaching and impacting the lives of students who walk into her class every day.
“I wasn’t a straight-A student. I had to really work hard in school and had fabulous teachers who took time to help me in the areas I struggled in,” McBryant said. “I look back now and can’t believe that I became a teacher after not being great at school. I love my Buford community and if you didn’t grow up here or know what it was like before it got so big, it might be hard to understand how special this place truly is.”
FEATURED PHOTO: Kayla McBryant poses for a photo with her husband, Ben, and their children, Harleigh and Hank. Photo courtesy of Kayla McBryant.
