Her Story
About Katie
I took the scenic route to education because I was an English language learner myself. I came as a freshman in high school speaking no English, so school was extremely hard. I'm Korean by descent, but I grew up in South America. When I walked into school, they automatically thought that I was Asian, so I should be good in math and play an instrument, but I grew up in Peru. I never thought I would be in the field of education - I'm speaking with somebody that skipped school like 40 days a month, so I knew all the tricks and barely graduated high school. I didn't go to school the conventional way, but I think I'm a late bloomer. I started in my district as a kindergarten assistant and climbed the ladder from the very bottom. I became an assistant, then a classroom teacher, and now I'm in central office. I was a career switcher, and I've been through all of it. My passion is for multilingual learners because I bring in a different perspective - I was a multilingual myself and I know what the struggles are that the students and that population go through. I can't remember a single teacher that made an impact or made the time to get to know me, and that drives my work today.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Katie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think it's my love for multilingual learners. I bring in a different perspective because I was a multilingual myself. I know what the struggles are that the students and that population go through, especially coming as late as I did. School was very hard. Learning English was very hard. But I also have the lens from my professional perspective - how to lead multilinguals. One of the things that I have noticed in my current position is that school leaders or district leaders actually don't know how to approach that and how to help multilingual success, not only academically but socially as well. That's been my passion, to kind of educate others on how to help that demographics, because I know what it feels like. I know feeling ostracized and not being included, and I can't remember a single teacher that made an impact or made the time to get to know me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was from my principal, who told me that you cannot save everyone, but you cannot save everyone at all at once. However, you can make the small changes that will have a ripple effect that eventually will reach others. So, small moves could lead to big things.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It is so worth it. It's so rewarding to see what you do and the impact that you make in this field. Everybody needs a champion, and you could be that champion.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge is that people just don't understand that demographics, the multilingual learners. Oftentimes, they're in motions of just checking the boxes, making sure that they are in compliance, but it's not with the greatest intent of how do I really help that demographics succeed. I think that's been my biggest hurdle. Also, school leaders and district leaders have competing priorities, so oftentimes things that affect the multilingual population get overlooked.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value kindness. Kindness is everything. Kindness, understanding, and grace. I think those are the three - kindness, understanding, and grace.
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