Recent University of Georgia graduate and Darlington alumnus Charles King (’11) has been named to the college's list of "Amazing Students" this spring, recognizing his strong campus involvement, outstanding leadership and academic achievement.
Last week, the Atlanta native and former Darlington boarding student obtained his B.S. degree in middle grades education with a focus on English and social studies. While teaching was not a part of his initial plan, King's passion for working with students ended up coming to fruition early in his college education and became the obvious choice for his career.
"What I was connected to most in my free time was education," said King. "I have seen that if you bring in teachers that care, go above and beyond, and then help students to obtain what may seem out of reach, you then produce quality students and members of society not only in academics, but in character as well."
While a student at UGA, the Tiger became the recipient of the 2015 President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award, 2014-2015 Black Faculty and Staff Organization Founder’s Award, and the Del Jones Memorial College of Education Scholarship. During his time in Athens, he was also named to the President’s List and Dean’s List, and most recently applauded as the 2015 Outstanding Senior Leader.
"At Darlington there is a big focus on giving back to others," said King. "Even though I don't say it everyday at a Monday assembly, Darlington's motto of 'wisdom more than knowledge, service beyond self, and honor above everything' is rooted within me. I use those words to change my surroundings—my community. I have truly seen what happens when you live those words out on a daily basis."
As a Georgia Bulldog, the alumnus was president of the Black Male Leadership Society, an organization that he helped to breathe new life into after several years of inactivity. There he also served as campus campaign coordinator with Teach for America, and sat on the advisory board for the Georgia African American Male Experience, a residential weekend program aimed at increasing the university's enrollment of African-American males.
King's interest in being a leader in student affairs and desire to give back to the community did not start in Athens, but in Rome.
"In my search for a high school, my family and I were looking for something different than the traditional learning experience," said the alum. "I ended up touring the [Darlington] campus three or four times. After the first visit, I knew that I really wanted to join the Community. After the fourth, I knew it was where I was meant to be for my next four years."
As a Darlington student, King honed his skill sets holding leadership roles in House Senate (vice president) and IMPACT International (president), and serving on the "Y" Cabinet and as Spiritual Life liaison. The well-rounded student also played varsity soccer and sang in the Random Notes and Concert Choir.
The alumnus considers leaving his home in Atlanta to become a boarding student at Darlington the "craziest yet most rewarding" thing that he has ever done.
"It provided a sense of home for me even though I was only an hour and a half away from home," said King. "The faculty, staff and students showed relationships that paralleled with my home life."
His Darlington experience allowed him to get a true taste of diversity and to understand one of the School's biggest assets.
"As the IMPACT International president in particular, I had some type of relationship with every boarding student on campus," said King. "It was very eye-opening to get to see their individual identities, ethnicities and religious backgrounds—even if I didn't identify myself in the same way, I had a better understanding of their own stories."
King continues to give of his time to Darlington as a class agent, helping to facilitate a lasting connection between fellow alumni from the Class of 2011 and their alma mater.
This fall, King will join the staff at KIPP WAYS Academy in Atlanta to teach fifth-grade English, and will become the first alum of the school to have returned as a teacher. KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) schools are public charter institutions that provide a college-preparatory education to students in underserved areas in 20 states and Washington, D.C. Over 82% of KIPP students go on to higher education after graduation. One of King's personal goals for the future is to establish his own KIPP school.
When he reenters the classroom officially as Mr. King, the alum plans to draw from the skills and personal touches he learned and observed from his own teachers at Darlington.
"I will have that same respect for students' identities, and that love for the subject I'm teaching," said King. "Darlington teachers capitalize off of students' interests, using them to push the understanding of their subject, and that's just what I plan to do."
Click here to read more about Charles King ('11) in the original story from UGA.
