Kathy Koch, MCMS

FACTS: A native of Dorchester, Kathy attended Boston State College and joined the Air Force following graduation. After completing Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas, the Air Force sent Kathy to Penn State University to study meteorology. "I forecasted the weather for the next four years in Okinawa, Japan and Tucson, Arizona. I know the latter sounds like a "piece of cake" with over 300 days of sunshine per year, but the region actually has two very difficult-to -forecast rainy seasons each year and the most spectacular lightning shows in the U.S." Kathy left the air force, started a family, and was a stay-at-home mom for fourteen years before returning to the work force as a meteorologist in the private sector. She is now a single mother with two children -- a daughter who is a sophomore at Scripps College in California and a son who is a junior at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire

INSIDE SCOOP: I've learned how important it is to establish a good relationship with the students. I've also learned how critical respect is in the classroom -- both from the students and the teacher.

Try to avoid acting like the students' friend. Remember that you're their teacher to whom they're looking for guidance. They already have plenty of friends.