HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — You never know where life takes you and that is true for this teacher we’re about to meet. Her career started off in a corporate setting, and pivoted to education.
A brand new start, at a fairly brand new school and her peers and pupils like her!
Meet this week’s Top Teacher, Kathleen Pate, from Huntsville College Preparatory School.
“I love having both third and fourth grade. It gives me a really unique opportunity to have a lot of these kids for two years,” said Pate.
Pate teaches two grade levels, but the classes are rather small. Pate says it is a unique opportunity at Huntsville College Preparatory School. “We're a fairly new school and we're kind of having to start everything from scratch. So it takes a lot of hard work and it takes a lot of effort. But really seeing it come together is a reward enough to keep going and keep wanting to start new things.”
Pate said she’s been here since its inception - teaching for four years. “I've been in it for the long haul here at CPS.”
Pate’s also the longest tenured teacher. “I've always enjoyed being a leader, so I don't take that role lightly and I try and put forth wisdom. But it is really special.”
She says she enjoys teaching, but it wasn’t her first stop. “I've always loved kids. And my previous job was in public relations and the corporate world was just not for me.”
Her students, like Ian Edwards, like to learn in her class. “She's a fun teacher. She thinks about funny things and most of the random things.”
“She is able to really get to know her students so she knows if they're struggling extra hard, learning how to spell, if they're struggling with math, anything like that. She knows their parents names. She talks to them off frequently. She knows everybody. And that's what we really like about our small class sizes, because we get to have that individualized academic experience,” said Director of Partnerships & Engagement, Samantha Huck.
Here’s what motivates Pate everyday: “Really seeing their progress so getting to come in here and see it finally click for them and see how excited they are and passionate about learning is really special.”
Do you know of a deserving teacher? Nominate them here!
{KATHLEEN PATE SURPRISED}
