ALTON - Savannah Kanallakan, a fourth-year teacher in the Alton school district, spoke during new-hire orientation at Alton High School to offer encouragement to incoming teachers, saying she was honored to address educators beginning their work in the district.
Kanallakan, who teaches fourth grade at West Elementary, said she was excited to speak because she had been in the same position not long ago.
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“I was honored to speak in front of the new teachers for new-hire orientation,” Kanallakan said. “I love this district and what I do.”
Savannah is a Difference Maker in her community with her efforts as an educator, inspiring the young lives she works with every day.
Kanallakan graduated from Alton High School and attended McKendree University. She also coaches Alton Middle School cheerleading. Her maiden name was Stover, and her first group of students knew her as Mrs. Stover.
In her remarks to the new teachers, Kanallakan reflected on entering her fourth year of teaching and the continued excitement she feels at the start of each school year.
“Every year feels like a fresh start, and because of that, I never truly feel like I’m working a day in my life,” she said in her speech.
Kanallakan told the teachers that her own educators in the district influenced her decision to enter the profession.
“I became a teacher because of the teachers I had right here in this very district,” she said. “They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. They challenged me, encouraged me, and helped prepare me not just for college, but for life.”
She said relationships with students, families, coworkers, and administrators have been among the most meaningful parts of teaching.
“The most rewarding part of this job hasn’t just been teaching reading or math,” Kanallakan said. “It’s been the relationships.”
Kanallakan also spoke about the challenges of the first year in the classroom, including the pressure to be perfect while learning curriculum, procedures, and how to build relationships with students and families.
“If I could go back and tell my first-year self one thing, it would be this: It’s OK not to be perfect,” she said. “You are going to make mistakes.”
She encouraged new teachers to focus on connection rather than perfection.
“Relationships will always outlast your lesson plans,” Kanallakan said.
Kanallakan said educators should remember that students come to school with different experiences and circumstances.
“Every child comes to us with a different story,” she said. “Not every student grew up the way you did or the way you wish they had.”
She closed her speech by urging the new teachers to give themselves grace and celebrate small victories throughout the school year.
“Don’t chase perfection, chase connection,” Kanallakan said. “Have fun. Laugh with your students. Celebrate the little victories.”
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