Using Everything He gave me

Caroline King, born and raised in Hackney, is passionate about, and dedicated to, the education of young people. Caroline has just entered her tenth year of teaching and, as she says: “is still excited by the prospect of inspiring children every day.” Caroline aims to become a Head Teacher within the next 12 months.

BHM: As a child what did “you want to be” when you grew up?
Caroline King (CK): I actually still have a piece of work which I did when I was in primary school and I was around nine years old. On the list then was a musician, concert pianist or teacher. My mum has always said that I have always known exactly what I’ve wanted to do.

BHM: Who or what has been your biggest influence on your career choices?
CK: The biggest influence on my career choices have been the children I have taught. I realised quite early on that my impact could reach beyond the 30 children who were in my class. I worked closely with my parallel class teachers which then began to shape a year group, then a key stage and now I’m a Deputy Head Teacher influencing and shaping policy across the whole school.

BHM: How would you describe the challenges and rewards of being a teacher/Head Teacher today?
CK: The rewards are that you get to see impact and changes every day whether that comes in the classroom, with a member of staff or a parent. This job means that every action and thought impacts on a child. It’s great waking up every morning knowing that your inspired idea, smile or way of communicating with children is moulding and shaping the future. The challenges must be reflected upon, learnt from and I like to consider if there is something that needs to be done in my place of work to turn those challenges into learning points.

BHM: If there was one key change/improvement you would like to see implemented in our educational system, what would it be?
CK: I would look at teacher training policy and teacher recruitment within inner cities. In order for a teacher to make the greatest impact they need to able to connect with children beyond the academic realm. You hear a lot of people say they want to work in a ‘challenging’ school so they can ‘make a difference’. Define challenging? I often feel that this is based on a perception and can lead to people entering the profession or an establishment with a pre-conceived notion of what children are capable of or what communities are able to achieve. The ‘challenge’ then becomes educating teachers so they understand that what challenge is in their eyes is real life for children and to that end education and opportunity is what we’re here to provide; not a watered down version of it based on low expectations.

BHM: How do you evaluate the need to recognise Black History Month in schools?
CK: I feel Black History, Literature and achievement should be an intrinsic part of any school curriculum. Throughout the year schools should be considering how lessons and topics are taught and this should be done with a diverse perspective. In a school it is everyone’s responsibility to educate young people in a global and balanced way. Having emphasis just in October does not create balance. Realistically though, it might be the one time teachers go the extra mile in researching Black History themselves – the commercially produced resources are still not in abundance and this makes it difficult for teachers to provide a balance when it’s lacking in the real world.

BHM: Who is your top Black History Month Hero?
CK: My mum and she is my heroine every day of the year. Aside from that, the people who I look to for inspiration and whose stories I connect with on a personal level are Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey. Those three women have influenced me to become self-motivated and self-assured.

BHM: How would you describe yourself in three words?
CK: Determined; Passionate; Reflective

BHM: Favourite proverb/motto and why?
CK: “When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say “I used everything You gave me.” Erma Bombeck
AND
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Aristotle

I started playing the piano with my grandmother aged four, from then on my mum provided me with opportunities to explore life and grow. I can honestly say that in teaching, every day, I am able to draw on those experiences and impart them onto the children I work with now. By the end of my life I hope I would have used everything He gave me.