The Heart Behind the Hand-Raising
Meet Miss Kathy
By Kelsey Johnson
Have you ever imagined spending your days with a classroom full of energetic, curious four and five-year-olds, all while teaching them how to be kind, ask questions, and grow into who they’re meant to be? It takes a special kind of person to guide young hearts and minds through those big first steps. Not everyone can do it—but not everyone is Miss Kathy.
Where it All Began
Miss Kathy grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has been a part of the Lincoln Public Schools system for 30 years. She began teaching at Riley Elementary in 1995 and retired in 2014. Now, more than a decade later, she still teaches as a substitute, back in the halls where she poured so much of herself into her students.
A Practical Path, Transformed
When asked why she became a teacher, Miss Kathy shares, “Growing up as a woman in the 1950s, your career options were pretty limited—airline stewardess, secretary, nurse, or teacher. I always enjoyed babysitting, so teaching felt like a natural choice.”
Though her path began with a simple choice from a narrow list, her love for the classroom blossomed into something much greater. What started as a practical decision soon became a deeply rewarding journey, grounded in building relationships, fostering growth, and sharing joy. “Where else can I go at age 77, make a little bit of money, and have people thanking me every day that I’m there?” she says.
The Joys of Kindergarten
Many might think of messes, noise, nonstop energy, and other reasons to keep their distance from kindergarteners. But not Miss Kathy. “Kindergarten is hard work, but when you like the kids, it’s quite the adventure. They have no filters, and it’s just so much fun.”
She adds, “There’s no better year for learning than kindergarten. Seeing where they start and where they end—it’s truly amazing.”
Miss Kathy never expected to stay in education as long as she has, but it’s clear that she was meant to be here. “I thought I’d just do it, you know—I’ll just try subbing out. My goodness, it’s been 11 years.” And thank goodness she stayed! Riley Elementary simply wouldn’t be the same without her. Whether she was stepping in for a teacher undergoing emergency surgery, navigating the school with ease thanks to her deep familiarity, or gently reminding students to treat everyone with kindness and respect, Miss Kathy has always shown up with heart.
Stepping Up When Needed
Even in the face of COVID-19, she put her own health on the line to ensure her students received the care and consistency they needed during uncertain times. “I’ve always believed that teaching is more than just lessons, it’s about showing kindness, being there when it matters most, and helping kids grow into caring people,” she shares.
When asked what her students have taught her in return, Miss Kathy didn’t even pause: “The best thing is to be kind.” And she’s absolutely right. The world never stops needing kindness—and sometimes, the smallest voices say it best.
Remembered Beyond the Classroom
Miss Kathy often has the joy of running into former students, and she never misses the chance to ask what they remember most from their kindergarten days. “Their answers always make me smile: ‘Oh, Miss Kathy, what do we remember? Your obsession with Martin Luther King Jr. You acting out Rosa Parks on the bus.’” She laughs, then reflects: “And I just think to myself—yes. I did my job. That’s exactly what I wanted them to remember.”
When she does, one day, step away for good, her absence will be felt deeply. But the kindness she’s instilled, the lessons she’s shared, and the lives she’s touched will carry on in every hallway, every classroom, and every student lucky enough to have called her their teacher.