Getting through high school may be challenging, but having a positive role model to rely on can truly help. New resource teacher Caitlin King is excited and proud to teach resource support and shape pathways that lead her students to success.
“[I’m looking forward to] helping connect students to the campus and connecting myself with the campus as well,” King said.
After graduating from Arroyo Grande High School, King studied for a year at Azusa Pacific University before transferring to Cal Poly. King graduated from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, obtained her teaching credential, and earned a master’s degree from Brandman University.
Working with students has always been a passion of King’s, and she has worked for the Lucia Mar School District for ten years at different schools. Despite her experience in the district, this is King’s first year working with high school students.
“A fun part about being a teacher is learning and getting to do new things,” King said. “I wanted to challenge myself by [teaching at] the high school.”
Through her kind nature and outgoing personality, King hopes to be a positive figure on campus that people can share their ideas and opinions with.
“I want to be approachable and fair, but I also have a very high expectation for myself,” King said. “I want there to be a level of respect [from students].”
As a former alumnus of AGHS King understands the student experience on campus and recalls her time here as well. Some of her past teachers who still work here remember her as well.
“You could tell she loved learning and she loved people,” English 9 teacher Laura Wade said. “Even on a bad day, I think she’s going to be fantastic.”
Some traits stick with a person from childhood into adulthood, such as motivation, drive, and passion. These are all words Wade used to describe King.
One goal King plans to achieve is helping students embrace all parts of themselves, from their strengths to their flaws. She hopes through her class, she will teach her students to stay positive and to always keep trying.
“The students I support have bright, unique learning styles. So teaching students how to own that part of themselves is important,” King said. “It’s a goal for me to change student’s mindsets about school and how we approach school.
Studio Art and Ceramics teacher Laura Gable notices King’s potential to make a significant impact on her students.
“[King is] providing those supports in a way that’s inclusive to all, but also universally embedded within the classroom,” Gable said. “Nobody ever feels singled [out, but] instead [feels] supported.”
King is excited for this new era of her life and she is getting involved in school activities such as staff and student dodgeball and attending the football games. King understands the challenges that come with being a teacher, but her attitude remains optimistic as she looks forward to the years to come.
