It is incredibly energizing to be part of an organization that both challenges and supports new educators as they reflect on and expand their knowledge, skills and dispositions with the ultimate goal of improving learning opportunities for all students. My hope is to be both a mentor to and a student of the Knowles Fellows as they grow into transformative teacher leaders.”

Kathryn’s Story

Kathryn is a lifelong learner and educator who is passionate about building positive learning communities, designing innovative curriculum and actively engaging in professional growth opportunities. For nearly 30 years, she taught ninth-grade biology at Middleton High School. She also designed an “Introduction to Biotechnology” course that she taught for 20 years. Through the Biomedical Sciences arm of Project Lead the Way— a program focused on preparing students for lasting careers by providing relevant, hands-on experiences—Kathryn taught a course on medical interventions for eight years. In addition to her work in the classroom, she supported her fellow science teachers as the instructional department lead for seven years. Additionally, she’s served as a cooperating teacher and as a mentor to new teachers.

In 2022, Kathryn received the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers. She holds a Master of Science in secondary education from Viterbo University and a Bachelor of Science in biology/secondary education from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband. Kathryn has two cats and is an avid reader.