Meet LaKenya Mitchell-Grace

Every child deserves to believe they can learn something new, even when it feels challenging. For LaKenya Mitchell-Grace, that's one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. As the Campus Leader and 3–5 Primer Leader at Primer Montgomery, LaKenya brings more than a decade of experience supporting students across elementary and middle school. Throughout her career, she's taught every core subject, helping students strengthen their reading, writing, and math skills while building the confidence to tackle new challenges.

LaKenya was drawn to Primer because of its commitment to student-centered learning. "I was drawn to Primer because of its strong focus and commitment to personalized, student-centered learning." She believes every student learns differently and enjoys helping each child build the skills they need to succeed academically while developing confidence in themselves as learners. Some of the biggest moments in the classroom don't come from test scores. They come from seeing a student's face light up when something they've been struggling with finally makes sense. "What I enjoy most is watching students grow over time, especially when something that once felt difficult begins to click. Those moments when confidence begins to show are the most rewarding."

She also treasures the everyday moments—the thoughtful questions, natural curiosity, and small accomplishments that gradually become lasting growth. LaKenya hopes her students leave her classroom with more than strong academic skills. She wants every child to know they are capable of learning hard things, persevering through challenges, and taking pride in their progress. By strengthening foundational skills in reading, writing, and math, students develop the confidence they'll carry into future learning experiences. One of LaKenya's favorite parts of teaching might surprise you—she absolutely loves teaching handwriting. Helping students take pride in their written work is something she genuinely enjoys, and it's another way she encourages students to slow down, build confidence, and celebrate their growth.

Whether she's leading the Montgomery campus or working alongside students each day, LaKenya is passionate about creating a classroom where every child feels supported, challenged, and confident in their ability to learn.