New on campus this year, Upper School history teacher Judy Kingkaysone has found her place educating the Greenhill community.
Kingkaysone knew she wanted to be a teacher long before she ever stood at the front of a classroom. Raised in a family of educators, she was surrounded by role models who she says shaped her path early on.
“By seventh grade, I had already decided I wanted to be a medieval history teacher,” Kingkaysone said.
Her passion for teaching was solidified in college.
“I realized that learning how to teach was more important to me than the subject itself,” Kingkaysone said. “I loved the classroom more than the idea of being a researcher. That love never went away.”
Before Greenhill, Kingkaysone worked in a district where AP European History was being cut from the curriculum. Wanting to teach at a school that still valued the course, she turned to Greenhill, a school she was familiar with, having grown up in Garland.
“When I came here for my interview, it felt like everything was aligned,” Kingkaysone said. “The smaller class sizes, the supportive community and the school’s focus on preparing students for the future really stood out to me.”
Her interview left a strong impression on Upper School history teacher and History Department Chair Amy Bresie ’96.
“She lit up when she talked about using art in the classroom,” Bresie said. “She showed us an example lesson where she incorporated painting into the curriculum. It was so engaging that we ended up using parts of it in our own opening-day plans.”
Bresie says Kingkaysone’s expertise was evident from the start.
“We were looking for someone with strong experience in both world history and [Advanced Placement European History], and that immediately stood out,” Bresie said.
At Greenhill, Kingkaysone teaches AP European History and Global History, a required course for freshmen.
“I love what I teach here,” Kingkaysone said. “I love just sharing that knowledge and letting people play around with that knowledge and just talk about what I love but also love relearning.”
Kingkaysone’s teaching approach has not gone unnoticed. Many in the Greenhill community say they appreciate how she connects with her classes on a deeper level.
“She’s really compassionate, and I feel like I can trust her,” said freshman Nia Mehta, one of Kingkaysone’s Global History students.
Kingkaysone says the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing the long-term impact she makes on her students.
“It’s really meaningful when a student who graduated years ago still remembers something we did in class,” Kingkaysone said. “It tells me that what we did mattered to them, and that stays with me.”
Bresie believes Kingkaysone will bring a valuable interdisciplinary perspective to the department.
“We’re hoping she’ll help us reintegrate more art history into the program,” Bresie said.
Kingkaysone hopes to contribute to the community beyond the classroom.
“Greenhill values service and purpose, and I want to be someone who supports that,” she said. “I want students to leave my class not just knowing more about history but understanding why it matters and how they can be a part of shaping the future.”
