The Dwight Times

Photo credits: Pinterest

By Journalist of Teacher and Student Interviews Zaya Jessee (G11)

This week, I sat down with Mr. Kingscott for an interview that turned out to be a part comedy show, part cultural exchange, and part fitness inspiration. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in the mind of one of Dwight’s most dynamic teachers, buckle up!

We started with a classic question: What’s the funniest thing a student has ever said or done? Without missing a beat, he shared the moment a student he was close with asked him straight up if he had ADHD. His face alone was the punchline. As for what inspired him to become a teacher, his answer was a wholesome mix of wanting to help students and enjoying the unexpected chaos that only children and teenagers can provide. He shared an invigorating experience about how his health advice to a student in his DP German class directly influenced his lifestyle choices for the better. He shared that his student started to have a more balanced sleep schedule and that he was taking the time to have a health-conscious breakfast.

Whether you catch him in class or outside of school, Mr. Kingscott is always full of surprises– like the fact that he secretly runs a book fan account on Instagram with a semi-large following. Yes, your teacher might be more of an influencer than you are. And yes, his brand is books. It’s honestly a great reminder that you don’t need to be “beautiful,” unrealistically hyper-polished, or extraordinary in some dramatic way to build a following or make an impact. Sometimes just being genuine and sharing what you love with no filters and no fancy aesthetics ends up being the thing people connect with the most.

 His favorite part of teaching at Dwight? The strong, personal connections and the tight-knit community. According to him, nothing beats those moments when his random, outside-the-curriculum knowledge actually helps a student in their daily life. Grading papers, on the other hand, isn’t quite as thrilling. Mostly because it requires sitting still, which just isn’t his default setting. #relatable Who knew that if he hadn’t felt a calling to become a teacher, he might’ve become a video game tester or a writer? Both options still feel on brand. Thank goodness he chose teaching, or else we all would’ve missed out on Mr. Kingscott’s timeless and priceless wisdom!  

When asked what advice he’d give his younger self, he said he’d tell himself to get into more sports and to stretch more, fully aware that his future elderly self will probably have some notes. His favorite book and movie are both Lord of the Rings– a theme is clearly emerging– and his favorite musical artist he listens to is Linkin Park, or a Japanese artist called Nujabes, depending on his mood. A more current- yet niche answer about his favorite book revealed that he is currently enjoying Dungeon Crawler Carl.

(German students searching for extra credit: take note.) 

With both German and British roots, his cultural identity gives him a unique classroom presence. He credits his British side for his ability to joke with students while still keeping the teacher-student line clear: think dry humor, and just a touch of goofiness, with authority. His German side, meanwhile, inspires the kind of traditions he’d love to bring to Dwight, such as a full Christmas market. (Please, someone make this happen! It sounds wonderful.) 

While we were chatting, we also decided to debunk a few German stereotypes, like the idea that all Germans are angry, loud, and blond. Spoiler alert: they are not. He is living proof! When it comes to home comforts, his British side craves a Sunday roast, while his German side longs for proper Johannisbeerkuchen, a type of sweet and sour German-style cake. 

Then came the topic that lit him up the most: calisthenics. His interest started young, thanks to watching Goku from Dragon Ball Z do a handstand push-up. Years later, he saw someone at his local gym do the move in real life and thought, “Alright, that’s it. I’m in.” Now he practices regularly, and it’s become a huge part of his mental and physical routine. Some of his favorite calisthenics skills to show off? Handstands and L-sits. Obviously, because they look cool, and because they’re the kind of thing you earn only through consistency, determination, and ignoring several inner voices telling you to sit on the couch instead.

For students wanting to try calisthenics, his advice is simple: start with the basics at home—pushups, pull-ups, and mainly stuff you can do without a gym. The most important thing, though, is to be consistent. Be patient, and the results will come. He shared that if motivation is hard to find, the trick is remembering how good you feel afterward. Most of the time, the “I’m too tired” excuse is really code for “I want to eat snacks and watch a movie”. Which I know is something we especially can all relate to.

Whether he’s encouraging a student learning a new skill or flipping into a handstand, Mr. Kingscott proves that the best teachers aren’t just educators. They’re full of stories, surprises, and skills we didn’t even know teachers had. And honestly? We’re all here for it.