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.
