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.

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