Panthers of ISKL #301: Katie Milton - The Resourceful Panther
I am looking forward to working this year to grow our Alumni Parent and Student Ambassador programs. Building a network of Panthers here in KL and around the world to support both our alumni parents and students as they navigate their new lives as they move on from ISKL.
For over two decades, Katie Milton has been a cornerstone of the ISKL community. A parent of two ISKL graduates and a former active member of the PTA and the Board, a Central Administrative Officer and Board Assistant, she has dedicated her time to the school since 2002.
Now, she's embarking on a new chapter as the Alumni Engagement & Development Lead, a role that enables her to leverage her deep passion and extensive experience in connecting with ISKL's global alumni community.
Here is Katie’s story:
Can you tell us more about yourself?
I guess you can say I have had a life less ordinary, full of shifts and turns and constant evolution. After school and obtaining a nursery nursing qualification, I moved to Aberdeen, Scotland, to the world of the oil industry. I worked my way up to running a full-on mad science laboratory extracting ancient spores, pollen, and fossils from kilometers below the seabed, but to climb the corporate ladder, a degree was needed.
At 28, I embraced my next challenge by returning to university as a mature student, in Physical Geography, quite the mountain to climb (pun intended). But no time to do anything with my degrees as our next chapter took my husband and me to Jakarta, for two years, after which I returned to Scotland with a new baby and a wanderlust for travel. My path again adapted as I worked in PR and marketing for a small oil company, and then boy number 2 came along at the same time as the opportunity to move to Kuala Lumpur. Wanderlust re-ignited.
When and why did you join ISKL?
Two boys enrolled in the school, and I was unable to work in KL, so I jumped in as a PTA mum, helping wherever needed, including serving on the Board. Then, in 2018, my professional life and my love for ISKL converged in an amazing way. I was hired by the then-Head of School (HoS), Dr. Norma Hudson, as the Transition Coordinator to merge two schools into one, a monumental but most enjoyable task. But it didn't end there; I stayed on and became the Central Administrative Officer.
Please share a little about your role as a Central Administrative Officer and your new role as Alumni Engagement & Development Lead.
My job description as Central Administrative Officer is varied and interesting, ranging from the practicalities of moving furniture to the school photos and lost and found. From managing the Summer Program to assisting the Board. Last year, I stepped into the High School as the administrative assistant to work with the Principals to streamline processes and update systems. I loved being back, working directly with students and faculty members. I have been described as the support system for all who need it, or more affectionately known as everyone else's too-hard basket!
My new role as the Alumni Engagement & Development Lead is a little daunting, to say the least. The people par, I got that, no worries, but the tech scares me more than a little. My social media presence extends to Facebook, but I am always up for a challenge. TikTok and Instagram, here I come! You'd all better watch out!
What does a typical day look like for you?
There is no such thing as a typical day. I am a list writer - I write my to-do list for the week on a Sunday, and if I get two items ticked off, I am lucky. I arrive between 6:30 am and 7:15 am and cram as much of my to-do list into that time because, as others arrive, my day can go in any direction.
Can you tell us about anything exciting or interesting happening at ISKL that you’re a part of (something you're currently working on)?
I am looking forward to working this year to grow our Alumni Parent and Student Ambassador programs. Building a network of Panthers here in KL and around the world to support both our alumni parents and students as they navigate their new lives as they move on from ISKL.
Can you tell us more about your hobbies and interests? What do you do after work?
What do I do after work? I try to turn my brain off and sleep. To help with this, I love online jigsaws and am an avid YouTube watcher of those who build off-grid vans and tour the world. One day, I hope that will be me; I already have the perfect van layout in my head!
What is your most memorable moment so far at ISKL?
I have been so lucky to be part of so many memories at ISKL but by far being part of bringing us onto our new campus (at Ampang Hilir) has had the biggest impact. To see all three divisions now in one new shared home is everything we have dreamed of as a community. I love it.
Who or what inspires you?
It sounds contrite, but a million people inspire me. Last week, I watched a Prep Junior student in the playground try and try again to build a tower of blocks, which kept falling. However, he worked away at it, and eventually, all eight blocks were stacked. The joy on his face was wonderful.
Our unsung heroes in school are the teams who just go about their business every day to keep our school safe, clean, and in good repair. One person who inspires me is the MS PE and Dance Teacher, Karen Palko. Her energy, her joy, her love of student learning; I want to be Karen Palko when I grow up!
Which Panther are you?
🐾 The Most Onz Panther – (Onz means nothing is impossible)
Share why you chose this superlative and how it shows your Panther spirit!
I have always believed in giving anything and everything a go. If I can't make it work or I don't know the answer, I will find someone who does.
Tell us why ISKL is special to you:
I Suka (Like) ISKL because… From the moment I walked onto the Melawati campus with my son, new to the school in 2002, I knew we had found our KL family; it was like walking into a hug.
What does ISKL’s vision, “Know yourself, care for all and create a better world,” mean to you?
Taking its roots from The Melawati Way, this is a mantra we should all strive for in life. If we can send our students on their way into the world with this in their hearts, we have done something right.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff member who always has an anecdote to tell, loves to share some insights into their passions and interests, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here.