We are honored to introduce Kate Gerwin, whose courage and resilience have inspired the entire Hoosic Valley community. Last year, Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer, a difficult and scary experience. However, she quickly realized she had an amazing support system behind her. “From the administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, and community members, I had so many people picking me up and supporting me through everything,” Kate shared. The love, compassion, and unwavering support of the Hoosic Valley community helped her through every step of her journey.
A particularly meaningful moment for Kate came after her treatment when she returned to school. During treatment, she had been giving her students “air hugs” to avoid germs, and they often told her they missed her real hugs. “The day I returned after my last treatment, my students slowly trickled in with ‘Good mornings’ and air hugs—until one student realized they could give me real hugs. I soon had 14 little hugs surrounding me,” Kate recalled. It was a heartwarming reminder of the love and connection she shares with her students.
This experience has profoundly impacted Kate’s approach to teaching. “It really stressed how important it is to lead with love,” she said. She is committed to making every child in her classroom feel loved and part of an amazing classroom community.
Kate is especially grateful to Mrs. Greco and Mrs. Kinnicutt for their support, as well as her kindergarten team, who were there to lift her up when she needed it most.
Her message is incredibly powerful: “Just lead with love! You don’t know what your kind word or smile will do for a person.”
