Chapel Hill High School has welcomed Math II and Honors Math IV teacher Erika King to the Tiger faculty, as King has been thrust into the school’s virtual classrooms as a first-year teacher.
A North Carolina native and recent graduate from the University of North Carolina, King student taught at Durham School of the Arts last year, while also finishing her studies through the UNC Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching program.
With an unconventional beginning to her teaching career, King has found herself trying to make her virtual classroom the most positive experience possible.
“It is a huge adjustment, but I try to make the most of the opportunities I do have,” King said. “I definitely try to meet up with students before and after classes.”
Freshman Bridget Knotts has taken note of her teacher’s warmth and efforts to support her students.
“Ms. King is an amazing teacher. There is never a dull day in her class because of her positive, energetic personality,” the Math II student said. “I’ve learned so much and I know she’s here to help if I have any questions. I’m happy I have her as my teacher.”
Junior Rebecca Cherry noted her math teacher’s kindness and distinctly recalls something King told her: “As you’re searching, remember that you are valuable, loved, special, and cared for.” Cherry said King’s lessons have inspired students and created a safe and positive classroom environment.
King said she has been taken under the wing of her co-teacher Jacqueline Cotton and fellow math teacher Emily Duncan, who have served as mentors to help King adjust into her new position.
“Ms. King has fresh energy, creative ideas and a clear love for teaching. She is kind and empathetic, but also holds high expectations for her students,” Duncan said. “I am already impressed by her hard work and dedication to the Tiger family and know that students are going to love her.”
King’s love for teaching stems from seeing students have moments of realization when concepts click—something that remote instruction makes that difficult.
“I love seeing that lightbulb go off for students, although it’s so hard in a virtual format for me to see that in my students,¨ King said. “I can’t sit down next to them and watch every step that they do in a math problem.”
King said she is looking forward to when in-person classes resume at the school.
“I am so excited to just be able to have kids be in their groups, with me walking around saying ‘hi’ to each individual,” she said. “I really do miss the personal connections that you can develop. I am excited to bring that back to my classroom.”
The new hire said she’s had a positive impression of the Tiger community from the start, citing the welcoming environment of her virtual interview.
“It’s really hard to try and get a good vibe for a school through an online interview, but I really liked the atmosphere that they tried to create, and I really thought they were going to help me and support me well,” King said. “Mr. Blanchard personally called me, and that was the cherry on top. It just reminded me that he is very supportive of the teachers and wants the best for his students.”
King hopes to extend that supportive atmosphere into her classroom to build relationships with her students—to remind them that they are more than just math students.
“It’s not about making sure that they get things off of the standard checklist, but I care about them as human beings,” King said. “I want them to know that they are valuable just in and out of themselves.”
