CFNN Reporters Anna Kate Smith, Addison Wellons, and Camryn Rogers

Background

Mrs. King is a Math 3 Honors teacher at Cape Fear High School. 

After high school, Mrs. King attended UNC Charlotte with the intent of majoring in pre-law. Over time, Mrs. King began to tutor her peers who were struggling in mathematics, and discovered a profound love for teaching.

“I like to make math easy for other people,” said Mrs. King.

After switching her major away from pre-law, she transferred to Fayetteville State University. There, she continued to mentor her peers in the subject and pursue her mathematics career.

After receiving her diploma, Mrs. King began teaching at local high schools. She mentored students at Terry Sanford High School, Grays Creek High School, and now Cape Fear High School. 

It’s evident that Mrs. King is not only an amazing math teacher, but an uplifting spirit to her students.

“Mrs King is such a great teacher because she truly cares about each and every one of her students. She’s very understanding when people aren’t quite understanding the lesson, and always willing to go over it multiple times. There’s no doubt she encourages all of her students to do their absolute best. Mrs King creates a positive environment where everyone feels supported, motivated and confident,” exclaimed Nadia Thompson, former student of Mrs. King.

From scary tests to shaky units, Mrs. King has reminded her students of her favorite quote from Kobe Bryant; “the moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win.”

Kloe Watts has kept this quote in mind when discussing Mrs. King’s impact on her learning career. 

“Mrs. King is extremely positive when getting her kids ready for the EOC. She always makes sure we do our best, and when we’re struggling she’s extremely persistent in making sure we get the help we need. “

Overall, Mrs. King has guided her students through units, concepts, formulas, and equations. She is an amazing teacher!

Academic Achievement

The Math 3 EOC is widely considered one of the most challenging high school exams. The test is fast-paced and advanced, covering complex material such as higher level functions. Many of the questions are wordy and require deep critical thinking, making the exam even more difficult for students.

In the 2023–2024 school year, there was a noticeable decrease in the number of students passing the exam. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reported that only 57.6%–58.3% of students passed the Math 3 EOC statewide.

Despite these statistics, Mrs. King continues to use a teaching style that sets her students up for success. Her dedication to making math understandable for everyone highlights her passion for education. She teaches helpful shortcuts, effective Desmos calculator strategies, and memorable phrases that simplify complex concepts. Mrs. King wants students to enjoy math rather than dread it before they even step into her classroom. Many students say her techniques have helped them not only in her class but in future math courses as well.

“I love Mrs. King and I think she is one of the best teachers ever. She helps so many students throughout Cape Fear, including myself. Math has been made an understandable subject for me, and she is so deserving of Teacher of the Week,” says Kloe Watts, a junior who had her during the fall semester.

Her teaching methods clearly show their effectiveness through her outstanding test scores. Over the past three years, 98% of Mrs. King’s students have passed the Math 3 EOC. Achieving a pass rate this high is extremely difficult and is considered a top-tier accomplishment in education. This success demonstrates that Mrs. King teaches for mastery, not just basic understanding.

Additionally, in 2024, Mrs. King’s students earned the highest Math 3 EOC scores at Cape Fear High School. Her classroom fosters an environment where students build confidence in their mathematical abilities. By making complex topics simple and engaging, she helps students grow academically every week.

Mrs. King also extends her teaching impact beyond the Math 3 EOC. She shares her strategies during the ACT WorkKeys Bootcamp, helping students perform their best on the math portion of the exam. Students appreciate her practical tips and tricks that allow them to move through the test efficiently and confidently.

Mrs. King will continue striving to make a positive impact on her future Math 3 students by promoting a strong and confident math mindset. Her personalized approach to learning stands out at Cape Fear High School, and her consistently high passing rates reflect the dedication and excellence she brings to her classroom year after year.

Beyond Academics

Mrs King has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to encourage, motivate and inspire her students both inside and outside the classroom. Through her dynamic teaching style, her dedication and consistently impressive academic results, she has made a lasting impact on her students and Cape Fear as a whole. As a math teacher, Mrs King turns what many students consider a challenging subject into an opportunity for growth, confidence and success. 

Walking into Mrs. In King’s classroom, students immediately feel welcomed and supported. She creates an environment where students feel respected, valued, and capable of achieving success.

One of Mrs. King’s greatest strengths is her ability to connect with students on a personal level. She understands that every student learns differently, so she makes a strong effort to adapt and meet the needs of all students, whether it be one on one guidance or open discussion, Mrs King ensures that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

When asked how she connects with her students and how it helps her teaching, Mrs king explained “I try and see my lesson through their eyes and try to teach them in a way I know they can understand.’ says Mrs. King, this mindset is especially important in a subject like math, where many students struggle with confidence or feel overwhelmed by complex material.

 By putting herself in her students’ position, Mrs. King is able to explain lessons in a clear and approachable way. Her ability to simplify difficult concepts helps students feel more comfortable asking questions and participating in class which strengthens their understanding of the material given.

Mrs. King’s teaching style is both engaging and effective. She provides strong structure in her classroom allowing her students to feel challenged but not completely overwhelmed. All her lessons are carefully planned to ensure the ability of students to understand the math material. Mrs. King encourages participation and does not make students feel discouraged when they make mistakes instead she helps them get a better understanding of what was taught and helps them with improving their work.

As a math teacher Mrs king has an understanding that not all students learn at the same speed or all the same way. But Mrs. King uses a very effective way of teaching that many students enjoy. What is it you may ask? Its color! Mrs. King uses colors in her lessons to help students. This has been proven to help students be more interactive and understand the math lesson better. This is just one example of all the ways Mrs. King helps students in a way that’s not just straight forward traditional teaching. 

Mrs King’s commitment to her students academic excellence is clearly shown through her strong performances on assignments, quizzes and tests. These results reflect both the students’ understanding of the material and Mrs King’s ability to teach effectively. She prepares her students thoroughly and consistently encourages them to do their best. Her confidence in her students motivates them to work harder and believe in themselves. 

Beyond academics, Mrs. King’s vital role in supporting her students personal growth. She takes the time to listen, give advice, and encourage students whenever they face any difficulties. Whether the student is struggling academically, lacking confidence, or dealing with personal difficulties, Mrs. King is always there to offer guidance and support. Her classroom becomes a safe place for her students to feel comfortable asking questions and expressing themselves and seek help without fear of judgment. 

Mrs. King’s influence extends beyond regular class time. She actively helps students through after school tutoring demonstrating her dedication to their overall academic development. These tutoring sessions allow students to ask questions they may not feel comfortable asking around other students and to strengthen areas where they may be struggling. Many students leave these sessions feeling more confident and prepared, knowing their teacher truly cares about their success in the classroom. 

Colleagues also admire Mrs. King for her professionalism, leadership, and strong work ethic. She is always willing to help other teachers when needed and works collaboratively to improve instruction and student outcomes. Her positive attitude contributes to Cape Fear’s supportive learning environment and  reflects her commitment to success in education. 

Most importantly, Mrs. King instills confidence and resilience in her students. She encourages them to set high expectations for themselves and reminds them that growth takes time and effort. By promoting a growth mindset she helps students develop skills that will benefit them even after high school. Many students credit Mrs. King with helping them believe in themselves and pursue goals they once thought weren’t possible. 

In conclusion, Mrs. King’s ability to encourage, motivate, and inspire her students makes her the perfect teacher of the week. Through her engaging teaching style, impressive academic results and her genuine care for her students she has made a lasting impact on countless lives. Mrs. King is more than an outstanding math teacher but a mentor, role model, and source of inspiration whose influence will continue to shape her students’ futures for the many years to come. 

Fun Facts!

Mrs. King is the mother of two beautiful, graduated young adults. She is also an identical twin!

Mrs. King loves to drink coffee, and likes it rather bitter. She treats herself to a hot coffee in the morning, and an iced coffee in the afternoon. 

“I love watching Mrs. King make an iced coffee every day during my class,” said Sadie Adams, a current student in Mrs. King’s fourth period.

Mrs. King loves her red Brewmate cup, along with her Tory Burch bag that she never lets touch the floor.

Every lesson Mrs. King leads includes a common component across the board; color! Not only is color visually appealing, but academically efficient as well.

“Visually, it’s easier to understand math if you can see the steps,” said Mrs. King.

Apart from color and her Brewmate, Mrs. King loves one thing; a dress down day! She looks forward to weeks with work days or holidays, not because of the day off, but because of the jeans she can rock when she gets back!

Mrs. King loves her colored pens, Tory Burch bags, cute cups, jeans, but most importantly, her students. Her exciting attitude and intriguing conversation keeps her students engaged in class, while still continuing to expand their knowledge on math. Great job, Mrs. King!