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Kate Herron, 4th Grade

Hometown: Watertown, CT

College(s)/Degree(s):

Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Catholic University of America; master's degree in Special Education (K-12) from Marymount University

Email Address: kherron@episcopalacademy.org

 

What is your favorite thing about teaching at EA? 

What truly drew me to EA were the core values highlighted in our mission statement, particularly the emphasis on embracing diversity, maintaining high standards, and fostering growth. However, what truly hooked me was the strong sense of community. During my campus visit for the interview, I was struck by the students’ engagement—whether they were participating in class discussions on the carpet or collaborating in pairs. The students were respectful, and I felt incredibly welcomed by both the parents and staff. It was clear that this is a place where everyone is valued and supported.

 

Why is 4th grade special?

My favorite thing about teaching 4th grade is the students are at such a pivotal point in their education. We are no longer learning to read, but now reading to learn. The students ask deeper questions that lead to deeper conversations and understanding in the classroom.

 

What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach?

I truly enjoy teaching our realistic fiction unit in writing. The students love working with our mentor text, Tiger Rising, as they explore the different elements of narrative story structure and character development. They apply what they’ve learned to create their own problem-and-solution scenarios, and practice zooming in on scenes to vividly paint a picture in the reader’s mind. Throughout the unit, they develop skills in crafting “showing” sentences, incorporating dialogue, and using figurative language to make their stories more interesting for the reader. 

 

What do you like to do outside of teaching?

I love spending time with my friends and family. A fun fact about me is that I’m one of five kids! I have an older brother and sister, and my parents were surprised to learn they were expecting triplets—myself and my two sisters.