*7th Grade ELA Teacher*
By: BHS Staff Profiles
December 5, 2025
Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Miss Alexa Klesta. This is currently Miss Klesta’s first year in the Brooklyn City School District, but she has been teaching for a total of four years. Before coming to Brooklyn, she taught ELA and Social Studies for grades 6-8 in the Cleveland Schools, specifically at William Rainey Harper. Some things Miss Klesta likes to do in her free time are hanging out with her dog Athena, reading, and watching TV. A fun fact about her is that this is the first year she does not have a sibling in the grade she is teaching. She has a sister who is 10-years younger and a brother who is 14-years younger.
Q: If you could have any school pet for your classroom, what would it be?
A: “A koala bear because they are very cuddly and cute or a manatee because they are very lazy.”
Q: Why did you choose to become an ELA teacher?
A: “Originally, I did not want to go into education at all, which is funny because my older sister is a teacher. I did not want to follow in her footsteps as I had already done that for a long time. It was not until my junior English class when we had a project that required us to teach a 75-minute lesson on old literature that everything shifted. My teacher at the time was not much of a people-person and never shared anything about himself. But after this project, he pulled me aside and told me that I would make a great teacher someday. That moment completely changed my perspective. I was in eleventh grade with no idea of what I wanted to do, and he helped me see what I truly wanted. What he said meant a lot to me.”
Q: How would you describe your first group of students?
A: “My first group of students was an interesting bunch. They actually graduated last year, and I went to a few of their graduations in Toledo. They were challenging, but watching their progress and growth and seeing who they grew up to be was amazing. They definitely gave me a run for my money in my first year. This year’s group is fun, diverse, and wonderful. They remind me a lot of myself in school, sometimes not pushing myself enough but always persevering.”
Q: What do you think this school’s greatest strengths are?
A: “The input and feedback I receive as a teacher, the coziness of the environment, and how welcoming everyone is. I also absolutely love my seventh-grade team.”
Q: If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
A: “I always wanted to be an actress because I am a little dramatic. During the first weeks of school, I tell students I am like Tinker Bell; I need attention to live. Acting was my childhood dream.”
Q: If you were a fruit, what would you be?
A: “A pineapple. On the outside, I can be intimidating because I am tall and a little prickly. But once you get to know me, I am as sweet as can be.”
Q: If your life had a theme song, what song would you pick?
A: “The Friends theme song, ‘I’ll Be There for You’. Friends is my favorite show. My favorite color purple is even the color of the door in the show. My friends mean a lot to me. I want to be a good friend, colleague, and family member.”
Q: Would you rather have a white Christmas or a warm Christmas?
A: “Warm Christmas. I am terrified of snow, and I hate driving in it.”
Thank you for your time, Miss Klesta. We are grateful to have you in the Brooklyn City Schools, and we look forward to seeing the many ways you will continue to inspire your students for years to come. Merry Christmas!
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 