Her Story
About Vicki
Vicki King is an experienced education professional with nearly four decades of teaching experience. She currently serves as an educator in the 21st Century After School Tutorial Program, tutoring students in reading, ELA, and math to address skill deficiencies from the regular school day. Her extensive career began in 1986 when she started teaching with the Hattiesburg Public School District before moving to Atlanta Public Schools, where she taught for 35 years as a classroom teacher. After student teaching in fifth grade and her first year in first grade, she spent the next 30 years in kindergarten, briefly returning to first grade for seven months to cover a vacancy. Following her retirement, she worked as a kindergarten paraprofessional for a couple of years before taking her current after-school role. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from a university in Mississippi. King attributes her success to supportive principals who recognized her drive and ability to fill gaps, her focus on individual children by capitalizing on their strengths, and her sense of doing meaningful work. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year during her tenure.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vicki
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to very supportive principals who noticed my drive and what I wanted to do for the children. I brought knowledge and intuition to figure out what was needed and fill gaps in whatever position I was in. After about 5 years I knew what it took to get children to learn no matter what level they were. I treated these children like they were my own and focused on each individual child, capitalizing on their strengths and helping strengthen their weaknesses. I felt like I was doing God's work and asked God for strength on hard days.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Teach children as if they are your own.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Even when it gets hard, remember why you wanted to become a teacher and keep that focus. It will give you the inner strength to keep going. Keep a support group with positive strong teachers in your circle of friends. Remember that it's for the kids, use patience and a lot of love. You can change kids because they are still malleable.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Politics, bureaucracy, red tape, and people who are opposed to or wish to privatize public schools.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Serving God, then others.
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