We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Cox and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
People often times think of education as a very narrow path. The options at MIT that we provide on a daily basis are large and vast. We offer hands on medical lab classes, along with a class this year focused on ethics in healthcare. Giving students the opportunity to have a more diverse experience in the classroom will hopefully lead them to more targeted goals in college.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started working in education with Teach for America and fell in love with education. While it was not always easy, I overcame many obstacles and felt like I made a real difference in the lives of so many students. Wanting to share that passion and what I learned with teachers is what inspired me to pursue administration and share what I learned to make a broader impact in schools.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I work long hours during the week, so like to make the most out of my weekends. If someone was visiting, I would take them up to Pine, Arizona! Pine is my favorite ‘small-town’ in the state. I would encourage them to check out the Natural Bridge in Tonto National Forest and enjoy the cooler temperatures!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All educators who I have had the pleasure of working with have had a profound impact on me. This goes back to when I was a student and remembering the incredible teachers I had as a child, along with all the teachers I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside throughout my career. They inspire me to be a better and more transformative educational leader each day.

Image Credits
Jonathan Diaz, Marketing

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.