Innovative Educator Transforms Learning at Obama Elementary Magnet School
ATLANTA, GA – Learning extends far beyond the traditional classroom walls thanks to the groundbreaking methods employed by science teacher Kayla Lusane at Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology. Her approach reimagines education as an immersive journey, deeply connecting students to their lessons and the wider community. Lusane's dedication to creating enriching, real-world experiences for her students is making a profound impact, a story updated on February 16, 2026, at 3:08 PM EST by CBS Atlanta.
Lusane's ties to the area run deep; she teaches in the very neighborhood where she was raised, infusing her work with personal meaning. "The community put so much in me, So it feels so good to be able to just give back and be a part of this same community that I grew up in," Lusane shared. This connection fuels her commitment to fostering an environment where curiosity thrives, transforming her science class into an vibrant space where students freely explore concepts, chanting planet names and engaging in hands-on activities that resemble discovery more than rote learning.
Experiential Learning: Igniting Curiosity Beyond the Classroom
The dynamic atmosphere within Kayla Lusane's science class at Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology is just the beginning. While students actively engage in discussions about everything from Jupiter to broad space science, Lusane firmly believes that some of the most profound lessons unfold beyond the school premises. Her innovative curriculum is designed to bridge classroom knowledge with real-life application, encouraging students to actively participate and make tangible connections.
Student Javir Brazile, 10, enthusiastically attests to Lusane's captivating teaching style, stating, "Even though she teaches science and most kids think it's boring. If you would have come to this school with us at this very age, I'm telling you, you would love Mrs. Lusane very much." These engaging experiences often involve out-of-state excursions to destinations like Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama, providing many students with their first opportunities for significant travel. Lusane emphasizes the lasting value of these journeys: "We're making these connections with these outside places, and we're making these connections with each other because we're traveling together, and we're having these experiences, these are things our kids will carry on for until their adulthood."
For Hallie Simmons, 10, these trips, largely facilitated by Lusane, are unparalleled. "Not many schools are able to go on trips that we go on, and most of them happen because I miss Lusane," Simmons noted. These adventures extend learning beyond academic subjects, offering crucial life skills and expanding students' horizons in ways traditional schooling cannot.
Cultivating Community and Empowering Futures
The influence of Kayla Lusane reaches far beyond academic instruction, fostering holistic development in her students. Hallie Simmons highlights this broader impact, sharing, "Outside of the classroom, she teaches us how to be nice, how to be friendly, and she teaches us more things that come from the heart." Lusane believes these unique opportunities are vital for inspiring future aspirations, explaining, "By giving these students these opportunities, not only do they see it's possible and they want to do it more, I think it gives them something to strive for."
Lusane’s commitment to wellbeing extends to her colleagues as well. She was instrumental in securing a grant to establish a faculty 'Zen Room' – a dedicated space for teachers to rest and reflect. Fellow teacher Takara Luke attests to its value, exclaiming, "Everything that she did to help create this room just added life to me because I use this room every week!" This initiative underscores Lusane's dedication to a supportive and thriving educational environment for all.
Further solidifying her role as a community pillar, Lusane organizes popular after-hours events such as the "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" night. These gatherings unite parents, teachers, and students in a shared learning experience. Third-grader Amayah Bryant eagerly anticipates the challenge, noting, "So, parents and teachers are going to see if they're smarter than a fifth grader." Parent La'Trisha Stallings jokingly conceded, "Oh, they're going to dust us no doubt about that," before adding, "It's just been a really enriching and, warm and enveloping program for us here."
A Legacy of Unwavering Dedication
The shared moments of learning, laughter, and community building are what Kayla Lusane hopes her students will cherish most. She consistently instills a powerful message of self-belief, stating, "One thing that I always want my students to remember is there's absolutely nothing that they can't do. They're capable of doing everything." This empowering philosophy defines her teaching legacy, extending far beyond lesson plans and test scores.
This year, Lusane's exceptional commitment and innovative educational approach were formally recognized with the school's prestigious Teacher of the Year award. This accolade celebrates her ability to create a learning environment that transcends the conventional, preparing students not just for academic success but for a lifetime of exploration, connection, and boundless possibility.
