Teacher Appreciation Week: Kathy Menz

 

Katherine (Kathy) Menz has served as the Lower School librarian for 14 years. A sixth-generation Washingtonian, Ms. Menz came to NCS after 15 years as a curator at the National Park Service. She holds degrees from Vassar College, the Winterthur Program at the University of Delaware, and Catholic University.

 

Following are remarks that social sciences department chair and 6th-grade teacher Stephanie Mathurin made at a May 5 reception to honor NCS's retiring faculty and staff:

 

"There is a certain irony in extolling the virtues of a graduate from Holton-Arms, but I think we can all agree that Kathy has earned honorary purple and gold status for her dedicated work for students and teachers alike here at NCS.

 

"Now, when I was the age of an NCS student, librarians had a bit of an image problem. We associated librarians with wearing practical shoes and keeping people quiet by making this terrible shushing sound that my students tell me I should never, ever make. Thankfully librarians and libraries are much nicer then they used to be, and Kathy Menz is one of the librarians whose work has changed the library character.

 

"Kathy prioritized the creation of a welcoming and vibrant hub in our Lower School. As a result, it is one of the centers of school life. And, as you can imagine, it's not necessarily a place of quiet, and that's a blessing. A catalog of the things that Kathy has initiated would be long, but let me provide some highlights. Letters About Literature is a program that Kathy brought to our students. Students submit letters to their favorite authors, and these letters are judged. This year 22 finalists are NCS Lower School students. [Note: That number is more than one-third of the finalists in Washington, D.C.]

 

"Her book-club meetings both promoted time-tested classics of children's literature, through her Classics Club, and exposed students to the best of new publications, with the Newbury Club. I have to tell you that, during morning assemblies when Kathy announces that there's an upcoming book-club meeting, there are literally screams of joy.

 

"Kathy's knowledge about books is so impressive, and her commitment to staying current is what keeps our collection vital and appealing. I'm continually struck by how much Kathy knows about her students. From their reading habits, she knows how much they read. From their preferences, she knows what they want to read. She's always on the lookout for ways to invite students into a world of books. Kathy shares her insights regularly, and information like this has helped me build relationships with students and encourage their growth as lifelong learners.

 

"Whether it's finding a fresh book for a 5th grader to stick her nose into or volunteering to invite an entire class into the library if the colleague is sick, Kathy is a team player. Now, I don't think I am speaking out of turn by sharing the fact that Kathy actually planned to retire last year, until our Ms. Jones convinced her that we needed her to stay one more year to make the smoothest possible transition. Kathy, I have so much respect for your commitment to the Lower School.

 

"Those of us that love books, and I know I speak for many here, have come to rely on Kathy's gifts to our community, and we are so grateful. Kathy, next year, we'll be imagining you with your family, your sweet dog, and probably a book. Just know that we'll be missing you, and we expect great book recommendations."