Mara Katz

Purple Kindergarten

I teach:

in the Purple Kindergarten.

I have been at Akiba-Schechter since:

2004

Education/degrees:

B.A. in Elementary Education and English, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa

I like to teach because:

The Kindergarten children always make me smile. I love teaching Kindergarten because the children are so caring, have a love for learning and want to have fun and be silly, too. In Kindergarten, children grow so much academically, socially and emotionally. I love being a part of this growth while watching the children blossom throughout the year.

My favorite part of teaching is:

There are so many parts of teaching I like, it is hard to pick a favorite. In Kindergarten, I like reading chapter books, celebrating Shabbat and having dance parties in the classroom. It is also great to watch as Kindergarteners become first, second and third graders. It is so much fun to watch them grow into such wonderful children.

I became a teacher because:

From the time I was in Pre-School I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I loved to play “school” as a child and could not wait to have a real classroom. While in high school, I was lucky enough to do an internship helping in a second grade classroom. I fell in love with teaching and knew a classroom was where I belonged.

I'm known by my students for:

Making up silly stories and my love for cooking in the classroom.

When I'm not teaching, I

Am usually playing with my dog Link or going for a long walk with my fiance David. I also enjoy bike riding and swimming. I love to hang out with friends and often visit my family in Milwaukee, WI.