Lind School District hires cook, four teachers: Kelci Payment

Stepping into a role as a para-professional at the Lind Elementary School is long-time Lind resident, Kelci Payment.

She has served as a substitute teacher within the district for multiple years and she is happy to return to her hometown as an educator.

Payment graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in elementary education. During this time, she completed her student teaching at the Lind Elementary School in the second grade classroom.

Working with the special education students has always been a focus for Payment, who said she has always wanted to receive her special education endorsement.

She enjoys the one-on-one work with the students and helping them continually develop.

“I really enjoy working with the small groups and seeing the progress the kids can make,” Payment said.

Payment said one of the largest benefits of her new job is being able to relate to the students and the staff, since she is from Lind. The connection to the town has helped her bond quickly with those within the school and work towards furthering the education of her students.

While Payment has enjoyed being a substitute within the district, she prefers working as a para-pro because she enjoys the constant interaction with the same students.

Being able to work with the same students every day allows you to see the growth within the child, she said.

Payment lives in Lind with her husband Chad and their dogs.

Outside of school, Payment said she enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing and scrapbooking.

Over the course of the school year, Payment hopes to witness as much growth in herself as a leader as she witnesses with her students’ development in the classroom.