Mrs. Kristy King - MHS

For this edition of SPotlight, I had the chance to reconnect with my former fifth grade teacher, Mrs. King. Talking with her reminded me why she was such an inspiring part of my own time in elementary school. Her journey into education started with one simple goal, which was to make her classroom a place where every student feels at home.

When I asked what inspired her to become a teacher, she immediately thought back to her sixth-grade English teacher, Mrs. Russell. Middle school had been a tough transition for her, but Mrs. Russell’s class always felt like a safe and welcoming space. “Her classroom was always open and welcoming,” Mrs. King told me. “She’d give us library passes, and I always felt at home there. I wanted to become that kind of teacher, someone who helps students feel safe, seen, and unafraid to be themselves.”

That experience shaped the kind of teacher she wanted to be. Creating a space where students feel comfortable and cared for has always been her foundation. Teaching also runs in her family, as her mom and both grandmothers were teachers, so it’s something that has always been part of who she is.

One of the biggest moments that changed how Mrs. King viewed teaching was when she taught kindergarten. “It changed my life,” she said, smiling. “They’re brand new, some have never held pencils or been in school before. You see where learning truly begins.” That experience helped her realize that even older students, in her 3rd and 5th grade classes, still need the same kind of care, joy, and encouragement they had when they were little. “They might act like they’re older, but they still need hands-on learning, picture books, and moments of joy,” she explained. “They need to be kids for as long as possible.”

Throughout her 25 years of teaching, Mrs. King has worked with so many students, but one in particular left a lasting mark on her. “Everyone warned me about him,” she said, describing a student who had struggled with behavior problems for years. “But I learned that kids like that usually just need someone to get to know them and pay attention. Once we built a relationship, everything changed.” She still kept in touch with him even after he went to middle school, wanting to remind him that school could be a place where he was understood and supported.

One of the things I always loved about Mrs. King’s class was how fun and full of energy it was. She brings so much joy to her classroom, whether it’s singing songs, celebrating holidays, or making candy apples for Halloween. “At the beginning of fifth grade, the kids always say, ‘I don’t sing,’” she laughed. “But by the end of the year, they’re singing all day long.” This year, she’s even planning to add a new flashlight performance to the school’s holiday program. Her creativity and enthusiasm make her classroom feel alive and full of community.

Before teaching, Mrs. King actually wanted to be a movie scriptwriter. She studied English at UC Santa Barbara and loved writing, swimming, and living near the beach. After graduation, she unexpectedly found herself teaching in Los Angeles through the LA Unified District Intern Program at just 22 years old. “It was baptism by fire,” she admitted. “But I learned so much. It made me stronger, and it gave me perspective.” Those early years also helped her learn Spanish and connect deeply with her students and colleagues. Even though it was challenging, she described that time as one of the most important learning experiences of her life.

After more than two decades in education, Mrs. King still teaches with the same passion she started with. When I asked her what advice she would give to her students beyond school, she said something that perfectly reflects who she is: “Always keep learning and reading. Education is a privilege, it’s something to be grateful for. You can learn something new at any age.”

That simple idea captures everything about Mrs. King as a teacher. She’s patient, curious, and endlessly caring. Her students remember her not just for what she taught them, but for how she made them feel safe, confident, and valued. Mrs. King’s story is a reminder that the best teachers don’t just teach lessons, but they help shape who we become.