Staff Spotlight: 4th-grade teacher Kathy Pierce tells her students to follow their dreams

by Amy Haggerty

Getting to know her students is what Kathy Pierce does best. She enjoys each day in her fourth-grade classroom learning and working with all her students. Reading is an important part of the day and she especially delights in picking stories about dogs to read to her class.

Pierce always wanted to be a teacher. Growing up in the Chelsea area, playing teacher was her favorite pastime. However, she didn’t pursue her teaching career until after she tried her hand at several different occupations. Eventually, she decided to go back to school. She attended Madonna College in Livonia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in the art of teaching.

Later, she had two children: her son Jeff, who is now 33 and married to his wife Ari, and a daughter Jenny, who is 31. Spending time with her family is this teacher’s favorite pastime when she’s not working. She is a new grandma to granddaughter Willow who is 18 months old. When it comes to family, spending time with her granddaughter is icing on the cake for Pierce! Pierce also has a soft spot for her five-year-old golden retriever, Gracie.

Pierce’s dad has passed away, but not before making a huge impact on her life. “He was kind-hearted and a caring person. He often did little things to help people, especially his family who he took great care of. If someone needed something, my dad was always right there ready to help!”

Traveling around Michigan is one of her favorite vacation pastimes—especially when the trip includes time spent exploring the one of the Mitten State’s many lighthouses. One summer, she even had the opportunity to experience lighthouse-living firsthand for a week on St. Helena Island in Lake Michigan. Many only dream of a vacation like that, but Pierce made that dream a reality.

Kathy Pierce believes in a mantra that has the potential to work for young and old alike, and she hopes her students will take it to heart: “If you really want something, work hard to make it happen. It’s never too late to go after your dreams.”

Fourth-grade teacher Kathy Pierce always wanted to be a teacher but tried her hand at other occupations first. Photo provided by Kathy Pierce.

Pierce has two children—Jeff and Jenny. Here she is pictured with Jeff and granddaughter Willow. Photo provided by Kathy Pierce.

Pierce also has a soft spot for five-year-old golden retriever, Gracie. Photo provided by Kathy Pierce.

 

 

 

Amy Haggerty retired from Stockbridge Community Schools after teaching for 33 years in the Stockbridge district. She moved to the community 26 years ago with her husband and daughter. She enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends

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