Meet Annika Dukes | Teacher and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annika Dukes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annika, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
The most important thing I have done as a parent in terms of the impact on my children is to work on myself. It sounds weird to say, but showing my kids that it’s okay to be imperfect, to change and grow, will change unhealthy, generational habits. By doing the work on myself, digging deep to find out the why of what goes on around me, I am showing my kids that they can also be imperfect and seek deep within themselves to find comfort and peace. Life throws us curveballs and we go through hard times. I have had my share and am proud of how I have risen up and handled myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have the joy of teaching our youth! I have taught 2nd, 3rd, 5th and K-6 Physical Education. I always wanted to be a teacher, joining groups when I was in high school and working with kids. I moved to AZ and began college but was not focused. I started having kids young (20 and pregnant) and remember saying “If I get a laptop for Christmas, I’ll sign up for school.” My family delivered a laptop and I sure did sign up! My son was 8 months old. I pushed through a pregnancy with my daughter and got my Associates degree and continued on through my pregnancy with my second son and graduated with my bachelors in elementary and special education. Proud was an understatement. It was challenging and I had many late nights so I could still be mom. My kids though, saw me walk across a stage and I knew one day they would see that for what is was! Two years later I went back again for my masters degree in education. Sometimes I consider going back for a second masters! I just LOVE learning!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is such a fun thing to contemplate! My husband and I have enjoyed checking out spots up in the valley and also love adventures! So given the weather, I’d say we’d have to hit up Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers first! The sweet potato tater tots are amazing! I love them with BBQ sauce. We’d for sure visit downtown Chandler to Bourbon Jacks. The town vibes are so different than my Chicago suburb town we grew up in. In and Out is always a must too! I love walks around Riparian Preserve and Veterans Oasis park. Then I feel like we’d have to visit the lake! Water isn’t something people think AZ has. Saguaro, Canyon or Apache Lake would be ideal! We’d wake surf and paddle board and enjoy the beautiful Arizona landscapes!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I honestly don’t know that there is one particular person or group I can pinpoint my inspiration towards. My family is all extremely artistic and that always wows and inspires me. My children because they are beautiful and I love capturing their smiles!! I always had a point and shoot with me and then Stephanie Siguenza let me borrow her DSLR camera when my third child was born. I never looked back!

Instagram: @annikabrittphotography

Facebook: Annika Britt Photography

Image Credits
Annika Britt Photography