Science, the natural environment, and athletics have been central themes throughout Kathi’s life. She earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Marietta College, where she also lettered in both field hockey and basketball. She later completed an M.S. in Exercise Science at Springfield College, initially planning to coach at the collegiate level, but quickly discovered a passion for teaching and for sharing her enthusiasm for the life sciences.

Kathi began her career as a high school science teacher and coach, a role she held for many years while pursuing graduate-level coursework in science education, chemistry, and ecology. A defining influence on her teaching was her 25-year involvement with Juniata College’s Science in Motion outreach program. Through this work, she collaborated with college faculty, attended intensive summer workshops, developed hands-on laboratory investigations aligned with science standards, and incorporated new technologies into her classroom. Her curriculum consistently emphasized inquiry-based, lab-driven learning.

Kathi was also selected to participate in the National Park Service’s Teacher-to-Ranger-to-Teacher program at Bering Land Bridge National Preserve in Nome, Alaska, where she developed classroom activities exploring climate change and Arctic ecosystems—experiences that strongly shaped her real-world approach to science education.

After moving to Teton Valley five years ago to be closer to family, Kathi became actively involved in learning about and contributing to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She is a certified member of the inaugural Idaho Master Naturalist class in Teton Valley and volunteers with Trout Unlimited’s Trout in the Classroom program. Outside the classroom, she enjoys hiking, skiing, biking, fishing, and helping students connect learning to the natural world around them.

Kathi brings decades of experience, deep subject knowledge, and a hands-on, engaging teaching style to her work with students, helping them build confidence, curiosity, and a lasting understanding of science.