New LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King to students: Dream big

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- Michelle King is the Los Angeles Unified School District's new superintendent. She visited her former elementary school in Inglewood and gave the students some sage advice - dream big.

Decades after she walked the halls of Century Park Elementary School, King toured the building and spent some time with the children on Tuesday.

She read a book about courage to a kindergarten class. After the story, students had a chance to ask questions. They wanted to know her favorite jobs. King told them she liked being a teacher and a principal. The kids also wanted to know how it felt to be back at Century Park.

"It feels great because I haven't been here for so long. I can't tell you my age. It's a big number. But it's been a long time so it's fun to come back home and have a chance to see the school," King said.

King was chosen to lead the nation's second largest school district last week. She was an LAUSD student and has been with the district for more than 30 years as a teacher and an administrator.

King served as deputy superintendent under Ramon Cortines, who recently retired, and former superintendent John Deasy.

"I'm a product of this district, and I think I represent what L.A. Unified can do," King said.

The mother of three is the first female superintendent of the LAUSD in more than 80 years, and she's the first African-American woman to have the job.

"I'm hopeful that I'm an inspiration to the students. They've told me that they have a good feeling about it, so has the staff, so I am excited," she said.

King told the students to study hard, listen to their teacher and dream big.