Kathi McLaughlin
I started my teaching career in
Tucson, Arizona after graduating from the university there
with a degree in Early Childhood education. I was
privileged to work my first years in a school that
encouraged children to make choices within the context of
their learning. My husband and I moved to Chicago in the
early 70’s and there I was a part of a community activist
group, focused on education. I directed a small storefront
school and worked with the district schools in an
advisory/instructional coach capacity. The births of my
lovely daughters, Karrie and Kasia pulled me home for
several years, before resuming my teaching career in the
Parker, CO area. My passion has always been teaching the
younger children as I feel strongly about their need to
take charge of their learning in a supportive but rigorous
environment. Thus my specialty developed in the younger
grades and in 1998 I earned my National Board Certification
in Early Childhood Education. A lovely set of circumstances
brought me to the Odyssey School 8 years ago. I taught a
1st and 2nd grade crew for 5 years here, mentored two
interns, then had the opportunity to take a sabbatical for
a year. My sabbatical took me to Nepal, Thailand, Laos and
Indonesia, a good portion of it on my own. It was an
amazing challenge and opportunity for personal
growth…similar to the challenges we give to our students! I
returned to Odyssey in 2006 and am now teaching second and
third grade.
