Teacher

Kenneth Cook-Askins
Maj. Kenneth Cook-Askins

Classes: Commandant of Cadets for the California Cadet Corps at Riverside Prep (Middle School and High School)

1. How long have you been teaching? How did you become involved with the California Cadet Corps? I first became involved with the California Cadet Corps as a seventh grader and continued in the program through twelfth grade. By my senior year of high school, I attained the rank of Cadet Colonel and held the position of Cadet Commander for the state of California. The California Cadet Corps made such an impact on my life that I decided to obtain my teaching credential so that I could teach the California Cadet Corps in schools and instill the same principles of leadership and character development that has helped me develop as an officer and teacher.
2. What do you like about teaching at Riverside Prep? Everything! it's a joy teaching our Cadets and working with great colleagues and a fantastic administration team. It's almost like a family being able to see the kids' progress from middle school to their senior year of high school. With our great students, it's a joy and pleasure to teach and help them excel to be model students for our school, community, state and nation.

3. What's your favorite moment in teaching? One of my favorite moments in teaching is seeing how far along my first-year Cadets progress. It's amazing seeing first-year Cadets that are quiet and apprehensive at the beginning of the school year, blossom into leaders that take charge and serve in leadership roles by the end of the school year and continue in the program to gain even more leadership opportunities and learn how to function and lead others to accomplish their goals. It's also a pleasure when former Cadets come back to visit and tell of their successes as an adult and how the California Cadet Corps has helped them in life.

4. What does it mean to be the High School Teacher of the Month? It's a great honor and complete surprise! This is something that I was not expecting. It is always a great feeling to be recognized by your superiors. Everything I do and the countless hours of after-school and weekend activities is not to gain recognition for myself, but to have the Cadets recognized for their hard work and dedication to the program and for them to experience everything the California Cadet Corps has to offer and what it means to be a leader of character and to be successful in life.
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