MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: KATE KOGGE

Could you tell us who you are and what it is that you do?

Hi there! My name is Kate and I have been living in Charlottesville on and off for the past 12 years. I'm currently contracted to work with various agencies on education initiatives for teachers and students in the DC region. The position is remote for the most part, although I do have some on-site programs from time to time.

What do you love most about the work?

I love making weird science more accessible for students, and this role gives me a unique opportunity to bring resources and opportunities to underserved communities. I have a great deal of creative freedom here, which means that I get to work with teachers on projects that they actually want to bring to the classroom. It's a neat balance between formal and informal learning environments, which is the direction I think (and hope) more schools will follow in the future.

How did you arrive at this point in your work / career?  What’s your backstory?

I had been working in clinical labs since I was an undergrad - it always seemed like that was a reliable, safe career path. While the structure was really beneficial at the time, I missed being in a classroom environment and meeting new people. A friend suggested I fill in as a substitute teacher at a nearby school and I was instantly hooked.

I went back to college to get certified, and then I taught middle school science for seven years, most recently at Community Lab School in ACPS. It was the hardest, busiest, and most rewarding experience, and I loved being so connected to this community. I was also doing a million other things to stay afloat, but I'll spare you from my side hustles.

Last summer, I was selected as an Einstein Fellow within the Department of Energy, and I spent a year with the education team at the National Air and Space Museum. I loved working in a museum and living in D.C.- even taking the Metro was a joy. My fellowship led me directly to the position I have now.

Has there been a light switch moment, a turning point, professionally &/or personally along the way?

Oh gosh, making the decision to go from full-time employment to full-time student teaching was TOUGH - I went from having a steady income to taking in just a couple hundred bucks a month. It was a huge risk, especially since I didn't have a guaranteed teaching job when I left, but I'm grateful I went for it. My student teaching placement was in Augusta County and I felt this incredible warmth every time I stepped in that classroom. The drive was long, I had no money, I was absolutely exhausted, and I was 100% where I needed to be. 

What values drive your work each day?

Empathy plays a huge role in what I do - I often work with teachers and students in Title 1 schools, so it's important to meet folks where they are. I also need a lot of patience and flexibility; federal initiatives always take way longer than you expect them to, so you need to be able to make adjustments on the fly.

What are you currently working on, excited about, looking forward to?

 I'm thrilled to continue working with the folks at the National Air and Space Museum this summer; my office asked me to start a teacher leadership program there before the 2023-2024 school year begins. Building something like this from scratch is exciting (and terrifying), and I hope it becomes a lasting resource for these educators.

Anything we missed that you might care to share (closing thoughts)?

I'm excited to *finally* have a work community again - it's been a while. Looking forward to meeting each of you.