Kathy decided to become a teacher when she was just a third grader. She loved school and especially Miss Nelson, her first and second grade teacher, and Miss Schwai, her third grade teacher. That year, she packed her suitcase and took a pretend fieldtrip to Hawaii with Miss Schwai and her classmates. That's when she knew for sure she'd be a treacher - she'd get to talk, get paid for it, and have fun!

Yes, Kathy has been a "Chatty Kathy" her whole life. Kathy's grandmother, on her mom's side, is the one credited with first referring to her as "Chatty Kathy" when she was just a 3-year-old. She liked to talk and was the type of child who actually answered her parents' questions like, "What did you do today?"

Kathy came to her gifts naturally. She never remembers her mom, aunt, or grandmother running out of things to say.

When Kathy was young, her parents enrolled her in Children's Theater. She says they wanted her to talk somewhere else. In high school, she joined the Forensics Team and earned ribbons for giving speeches. And, she watched her grandfather give speeches since he was mayor of the suburb of Milwaukee, WI, where she was raised.

Kathy and her brother, Dave, who is three years older than her, were both close to extended family and involved in music, sports, and church. They always got along well and their relationship was further strengthened when Dave began dating one of Kathy's best friends. They're now married, with three children Kathy loves.

After marching in the Purdue University band and earning an education degree, Kathy taught second graders. She began work on her Master's degree, liked her courses, and decided to earn a Ph.D. to increase her influence by becoming a professor.

Moving back to Wisconsin as a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, was a dream job. She loved her seven years there, teaching future teachers and teachers in graduate classes, helping with faculty developmnet, and advising the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group. It was during these years that she first got involved in Christian education, volunteering at and serving on the school board for a Christian school. And, of course, she became an even bigger Packer fan than she had been.

Just as when Kathy accepted the job teaching second graders, she thought she'd stay at the university forever. But, some convention teaching experiences and people she met encouraged her to broaden her experiences. Thus, the dream for Celebrate Kids was born. She hasn't looked back.