For the past 16 years, education has not only been what I do for a living, it’s also a motto for my life. It is important to continually work on educating yourself and challenging yourself to learn, grow, and stretch beyond your comfort zone. Because of this thirst for a challenge, I have walked through many doors in education and have taught every grade, kindergarten through college, at some point in my teaching career.
My Journey Begins
Student teaching was where this quest for a challenge began. I went to school to be an art educator, and was placed in an art “magnet” elementary school, to teach Art. I student taught Kindergarten in the morning, and Art to grades 1-5 in the afternoon. It was at this point that I decided to get my K-12 multiple subject endorsement.
Outdoor Education
After student teaching, I took a position at an outdoor school in Yosemite National Park, teaching 6th graders about Miwok Indians, Astronomy, and other naturalist subjects. This experience led me to a teaching job in Chowchilla, CA. I was hired to teach a 3rd/4th split class, which I did for the next three years. Then I taught a 5th/6th split class for my final year in California.
Move to Washington State
After moving to Kent, Washington, I was hired on a leave replacement at Kentridge High School to teach Ceramics to 10th-12th graders. The following year, I went back to teaching 3rd Grade at Meridian Elementary for the next three years. It was a position that I enjoyed, but when I saw an Art position open up at Meeker Middle School, I couldn’t resist applying. I got the job and loved teaching Art there for the next five years. However, after my 3rd year, the 9th graders were moved to the high schools and our elective course offerings moved with them. So, I was teaching Art 0.6 of my day, and due to my technology background, was placed as the Instructional Technology Specialist, ITS, for the remainder of the day. This was a new challenge for me. I decided at this point to expand my knowledge further by going back to school and getting my Masters in Instructional Technology.
A Turn Towards Technology
This lead me to become the Librarian/ITS for the following two years, and even taught college level Ed Tech classes at City University, in Tacoma, WA. When the One-to-One Laptop Initiative came to fruition in 2008, and the district was looking for coaches, it was a natural door for me to walk though. I loved being on the cutting edge of technology and working with the teachers helping them integrate technology into their curriculum in a meaningful way.
Looking Forward
With the birth of my first child, in February of 2009, I took a leave of absence for the next 18 months. Instead of going back to work as planned for the 2010-11 school year, I resigned due to my husband’s promotion and impending transfer to South Carolina with the Boeing Company. Currently, I am substituting for the Kent School District until we move this summer.
I’m now ready to re-enter the world of education in South Carolina and am looking for my next challenge. I hope you will consider me for a position with your school and hope my diverse experiences will enhance your school in a positive way. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Krista Wilson
About Me