This if Mrs. Koch's 24th year teaching at Walden. She and Ms. Vandergriff, with the help of Mrs. Coyle keep our kindergarteners active, engaged and learning. 

So far...
I was born and raised in Louisville.  I started first grade at Melbourne Heights Elementary, and because I was the first year of "baby boomers," and they didn't know what to do with all of us, the four first grade classes at my school met in the gym.  I cannot imagine teaching under those circumstances.  Although my public school education didn't get off to a great start in first grade, it had a great ending at "the new" Atherton High School.  In those days, Atherton was considered to be like a private school within the public school system.  After graduating from Atherton, I went to Western Kentucky University and majored in Elementary Education.  After graduating from Western, I taught for one year.  My husband was in the army and we moved 8 times in two years, living in 4 states, which made it impossible to teach.  Ten years later I went back to graduate school at the University of Louisville to get a Masters in Early Childhood Education.

 
Why Walden?
After finishing at U of L, I received a call from someone at Walden School who asked if I would interview for a job as a kindergarten teacher.  I had accepted a job teaching in a half day kindergarten, but I thought I'd see what Walden was all about.  I didn't know much about Walden at that time, but after my interview I thought Walden sounded like the type of school I wanted to be a part of.  It was the best professional decision I could have ever made. 

 
Favorites...
The children are definitely the best thing.  They love school and they love their teachers, and they say such funny things.  I really could write a book.  I want to make books, history, and geography come alive for the children.  I love to incorporate hands-on activities into the curriculum and the kindergarten classroom is the perfect place to do that.   I want to create lasting memories in my classroom, and I love to hear my former students say "I remember when we did that!"  I believe there is much wisdom in the old Chinese proverb:
·        I hear...........and I forget.
·        I see.............and I remember.
·        I do.............and I understand.
·       
 
Secrets...
I actually cook dinner most weeknights and enjoy it.  My husband and I eat dinner together at the table.......no television..... just music, and conversation.  We did it when our kids were growing up and we still do it now that they are gone.
·        I had difficulty learning to read, and my mother thought I would never learn my multiplication tables.
·        When I was in college I had a date with the brother of the little girl on the Coppertone bottle.

 
If?
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl.  I never wanted to be anything else, and I cannot imagine doing anything else.  I love my job!