AS A child, Karen King would spend afternoons and school breaks helping her mother in her first-grade classroom. She would tear out workbook pages, run small errands, and make copies for her mother. Over the years, King saw the room break down for summer and then recreated it for a brand new year of school. She was in awe of her mother as she made teaching look effortless. Her mother was patient and magical in a warm and inviting way, making Karen want to be just like her.
Then there was her father, who was also a teacher. While King’s mother inspired her love for teaching elementary-age children, her father sparked a passion for teaching mathematics. For the more than 31 years that he taught at Tullahoma High School, he was devoted to helping his students learn math in a way they could understand and be challenged. He believed math was not about learning formulas but understanding the reason behind the solutions. For these reasons, her father also inspired her.
With two parents as teachers, it seems fitting that King would want to follow in their footsteps. However, her road to becoming a teacher was a little less clear. While she benefited from two strong examples of educators, King would have to find her way.
And found her way she has. Today, King is a fourth-grade math teacher at Bel-Aire Elementary. Teaching math to fourth graders is what King considers one of the best jobs ever.
“I love the content,” she said. “It challenges and makes me think about math in different ways, and I love that. I love researching new and innovative ways to teach math to my students.” With my husband also being a math teacher, we frequently brainstorm ideas we have for our classrooms. We are truly an all-around math family.
If you ever have the opportunity to hear Karen King talk about mathematics, you’ll never forget it. The pure joy that radiates from her is enough to keep you warm on a snowy day. Her eyes light with excitement, and her hands move as if she is trying to make you just as excited as she is about math. King said what she loves most about math is its versatility and the challenge it offers. Because there are a variety of learning styles in one classroom, King said teachers have to “create or adapt lessons and activities to meet all learners.”
“I like how you can do so much with math,” she explained. “There are so many ways to be hands-on. You can play games and use cards, dice, glow sticks and even play dough. It’s not just opening a book; it’s about using your mind to solve a problem. Any activity where students are competing or moving around is always a hit with my students. Some of the most favorite activities of students are when we practice math concepts through a game similar to Hungry Hungry Hippos or Connect 4.”
King said there is nothing like seeing the light bulb go off in a student’s head once they have figured out how to solve a problem.
“So a big thing in fourth grade is multiplication facts,” she said. “Over the [Christmas] break, we took a break from multiplication facts. Now we have started back up, and students are remembering what they’ve learned and are excited about getting it and being able to solve the problems. That makes me feel good because I know I am doing something right.”
Math isn’t the only thing she loves about teaching. King said building relationships with students is also something she equally cherishes.
“When they walk in and want to tell me about something exciting they’ve done or that they are wearing their [Tennessee] Vols jersey for me — I love that. I cherish those relationships I get to have with them as well,” she stated.
She also enjoys the relationships that she has built with other teachers. These relationships are essential in helping to provide a positive learning environment for students, no matter the grade.
“I love the teachers I work with, and they are very supportive,” she said. “As a teacher, you’ve got to be patient, flexible, and able to work well with people. Teaching first, second, and third grades, I’ve learned support and communication are essential no matter what grade you teach.”
As a child, she didn’t envision herself teaching math, but there is no better way she could honor her parents for their notable influence on her. She also strives to carry on that same special devotion to the subject that her father instilled in her. GN
