We’re excited to feature Katie Cahrenger, who joined Hoosic Valley as a teacher last year and felt immediately welcomed by the elementary school and the broader community. One of the most meaningful experiences for Katie was when her second graders held a Google Meet with her after she left to have her son, Hunter. “I could tell by all their excitement that the feeling was mutual,” she shared, reflecting on how her students had become like family.
This connection reinforced Katie’s belief in the importance of building positive, meaningful relationships with students. “Making the classroom feel like family is always my number one goal for any school year,” she explained. Katie values each of her students and strives to create an environment where they feel supported, seen, and valued.
She is grateful for the support of her second-grade team, especially Bridget Chapko, Jamie Rose, Lyndzie Rosko, and Sarah Fox, and credits her mentor, Miss Riggins, for guiding her through her first year.
Katie’s message to others is simple yet profound: “When students feel cared for, supported, seen, and valued, they are more likely to thrive and remember more than just the lessons at school.”