Creating Paths, Not Just Talking About Them
For Edwaurdo King, education is about more than lessons and standardsâitâs about impact.
A Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher at Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy (KJTMA), King brings determination, discipline, and real-world relevance into everything he does. With 10 years in education, including 7 years in DeSoto ISD, and a Master of Business Administration, King is helping students see possibilities beyond what they thought was within reach.
âMy âwhyâ is impact. I show up every day to guide, challenge, and support my students so they can see beyond their circumstances and believe in their potential,â said King.
Leading with Determination
Among DeSoto ISDâs PRIDE values, Determination is the one that most closely reflects Kingâs approach to his work. Whether heâs supporting students, advocating for his own child, or building innovative programs, giving up is never an option.
âNo matter what challenges come my way, I stay focused and keep pushing forward. I believe in staying consistent, holding myself accountable, and finding a way to get resultsâno excuses,â said King.
That determination is evident not only in his classroom but across the district.
Preparing Students for the Real World
In addition to teaching, King serves as the District Middle School CTE Lead and Drone Program Director, roles that allow him to expand opportunities beyond a single campus. Through hands-on learning and early exposure to career pathways, heâs helping students connect classroom learning to real-world skills.
âI help prepare students with real-world skills and early exposure to career pathways. My goal is to make sure students have meaningful experiences that set them up for success beyond middle school,â he said.
Supporting the Whole Child
King believes that education isnât just about contentâitâs about connection. By building relationships and creating a structured yet supportive environment, he ensures students feel both challenged and cared for.
âI support the whole child by building relationships, creating a safe environment, and holding students accountable while still showing grace,â said King.
He focuses on confidence, discipline, and life skills just as much as technical knowledgeâkey ingredients for long-term success.
The Impact That Matters Most
Ask King what heâs most proud of, and his answer always comes back to students recognizing their own potential. âIâm exposing students to skills and careers they didnât think were possible and helping them build confidence in who they can become,â
Through CTE and the drone program, students arenât just learning new toolsâtheyâre discovering new versions of themselves.
Excellence Through Consistency
For King, excellence isnât about perfectionâitâs about commitment. He said, âI strive for excellence by staying consistent, continuously improving my craft, and holding both myself and my students to high standards.â
From lesson design to feedback and growth, intentionality drives his work. Like many educators, King faces challengesâbut what keeps him grounded is his sense of responsibility to both his students and his family.
âEven during challenges, I remain consistent and focused on the bigger picture, knowing the impact I make matters.â
Inspired by the Next Generation
As a father, veteran, and educator, his life experiences shape the example he sets every day.
King says his greatest professional inspiration comes from those he serves most closely.
âMy students and my own child push me to keep growing and show up at a high level every day,â
Everything he does, he says, is rooted in creating better opportunities for the next generation.
What excites King most about the future of DeSoto ISD is its commitment to innovation. And if his work is any indication, those students will be well preparedâbecause someone believed in them, showed them what was possible, and helped create a path forward.
âSeeing DeSoto ISD invest in real-world skills and technology means weâre preparing students not just for graduation, but for life.â