Gunter ISD is excited to welcome Kera Gross to the Gunter Middle School faculty! With 11 years in education, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for supporting students both academically and emotionally. She is joining us from Southside Elementary in Central Arkansas, where she has spent the past nine years serving as a dedicated school counselor. Prior to that, she taught Family and Consumer Science at the high school level for two years, also in Central Arkansas.
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Central Arkansas in 2010, and later completed her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2017.
Family is at the heart of her story. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Chris, and together they have three children: Caden, who will be a junior; Ella, who will be entering 9th grade and joining the Tigerette Drill Team; and Charlotte, who will be in 5th grade. All three children will be attending Gunter ISD, making this transition especially meaningful for their entire family.
When asked why she chose Gunter, she shared, “My connection to Gunter is deeply personal, as much of my family is already part of this wonderful community. My sisters-in-law both teach in Gunter ISD, and my nieces and nephews are proud Gunter students. Over the years, we have spent so much time in Gunter attending football games, participating in community events, and enjoying the small-town atmosphere that we truly fell in love with it. We are incredibly excited for the opportunity to relocate and become part of such a supportive and thriving community.”
Education has always been a calling for her. From playing “school” as a child with her younger brothers and stuffed animals to being inspired by teachers who made her feel valued and cared for, she knew early on that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of students. Her experience as both a teacher and a counselor has shaped her relationship-centered approach, and she is excited to bring that passion to Gunter.
One of her favorite quotes reflects the heart behind her work: “Students may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”