5 Questions with Kimiko Watson

Kimiko Watson, Educator and Author.

1. Tell a little about your education journey.

I am a pass student of the Shrewsbury basic school, Fyffe's Pen Primary, Black River High School, and the Bethlehem Moravian College where I pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, Specializing in English Language and Literature.

2. What inspired you to become an educator?

I wouldn’t say what inspired me but who inspired me. My great grandmother was a teacher at the basic school level, she was my first teacher. Her drive and patience towards teaching made me want to become a teacher at the age of three. She often persuaded me to choose another profession, but I had already aspired to be just like her and she was unable to change my mind. She realized that after a while and told me to follow my heart.

3. Tell us about your journey as an author, the books you have written and where they can be found.

My great-grandmother was a great story teller, a teacher and a wonderful writer. I always wanted to be just like her when I grew up. “Everything is possible with God, never say you can’t,” my great-grandmother, Ms. Ivy would say whenever I tell her “mi naah and I can’t” I was very shy but because of her I was also a very bold and outspoken child. I have been writing from the age of six, but before writing I would make up these wonderful stories and tell them to my teddy bears whenever I was playing school with them. I remember writing my first story in grade one for my teacher Mrs. Dehaney and my first poem in grade two, Mrs. Rodney’s class. At a tender age I knew that writer would be my second true love.

It is fair to say that My great-grandmother is my motivation; she is the reason I write. Mama Ivy was my first teacher and her passion towards me molded me into the young lady I am today. I pray that she is in heaven beaming with gladness because I have made her proud. I kept saying “I can’t” but she kept reminding me that I could and today I believe that I can. I have published two anthologies of poetry namely; Unspoken Words and Black Woman both titles can be found on Amazon. I am currently working on a novel and I hope to publish it soon.

4. What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching and writing?

I enjoy watching movies and sleeping

5. What advice do you have for an educator who aspires to become an author?

Just start writing , even if it doesn’t seem like it make sense at first you can always revisit it and make your corrections. As educators we need to start believing in ourselves as much as we believe in our students, and push them to believe in themselves. Just take a step to “bloom where you are planted” and you will definitely grow ad glow.

Instagram @ms_watoo @kimiko_lasandra