FACULTY & STAFF Kathy Breeden
RETIREES
If you were to read a job description that stated you would work from 7:00 to 8:00, 10:30 to 12:30, and 3:00 to 6:00 – and oh, by the way, work with students aged 6 to 10 at the most unstructured points of their day – you would absolutely run for the hills! But not Kathy Breeden. For over 20 years, Kathy has been that constant force in the Lower School caring for our students before, during, and after school. Whether it’s 22° or 101°, snowing, raining, or too windy to keep your feet on the ground, you can find Mrs. Breeden on the playground keeping a watchful eye on our students. Here are the top 10 reasons it will be difficult to find a replacement for Kathy Breeden:
There is no doubt that Collegiate will not be the same without Pat’s spunky personality and creative juices! When her colleagues were asked to share stories about Pat from over the years, it was hard to choose just a few to share. There are so many reasons why Pat has proven herself worthy for the past 21 years at Collegiate. Here are just a few:
10. She can quiet 100 children instantly with the clap of her hands. 9. She can identify any item left in the lunchroom or Kids Club with 98% accuracy. 8. She can tolerate extreme weather conditions since she knows the teachers REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want the kids to have outdoor recess. 7. She has missed only four days of lunch duties over the past seven years. 6. She can quickly cut up meat, open cracker packages and juice boxes, and pass out dessert to 100 students in less than 10 minutes. 5. She is a gracious hostess not only to 100 children at a time, but also to their parents, grandparents, younger siblings, neighbors, and anyone else who decides to drop in for lunch. 4. She knows the name of every student in the lunchroom at any one time and knows something personal about each! 3. She doesn’t let “green pea” day in the lunchroom drive her crazy even though there are peas everywhere! 2. She loves to play practical jokes on the kids on April Fools’ Day by telling the kids their behavior that day was terrible and they have to give her 10 minutes of their recess. They are horrified until she yells, “April Fools!” 1. She is a die-hard Spartan fan who can often be found in the stands with her family cheering on her Spartans!
Pat loved to do practical jokes (especially on birthdays). One time, she had Skip (her husband) pick me up on my birthday to go to their house. Skip was the sheriff and I was being arrested for getting older. Pat put me on her horse and placed a rope around my neck. Soon, Art (my husband) came to rescue me and we all went to a steak house for dinner.
To say that she will be missed next year is an understatement. To say that she is leaving an irreplaceable hole in the fabric of the Lower School seems to be a bit more accurate. Thank you, Kathy, for everything you have done for our students, families, and school! You have truly proven yourself worthy!
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Pat Swearingen
Belinda Mould reminisced about teaching with Pat for 17 years. “I have so many wonderful memories of Pat. When Pat first came in 1996, I loved the fact that she was short and had dark hair. She brought so much fun to Collegiate.
There were many more surprises through the years. I was able to give back to Pat many times on her birthday. One time I took Pat’s picture when she was sleeping on a table in the back of her room. I put her picture up all over campus and asked, “Do you know how old this sleeping beauty is?” There were many more crazy things we did. We had so much fun.” Jena Simms shared, “Over the last four years, Pat has shown me how to step outside the box and try new things; a bulletin board, a new craft, or simply a different approach to an old lesson. She is not afraid of change and welcomes a challenge. She is one BRAVE teacher and has been an inspiration not only to her students but to those teaching around her.” Pam Armor said, “Pat comes up with projects and ideas that most would never dream of. Have you ever thought of the Drainage Ditch Festival? Ask Pat. How about getting the Lower School staff up and moving using the Gerbil Gym? Need a frame made... or 80 frames made? Ask Pat. How about a homemade dog treat for every dog owner in Lower School? Again, Pat (as a side note, the dog cookies were so delicious-looking that Mamba tried to eat hers before Pat could tell her it was for her dog!). Who else would volunteer to take students across state lines to visit an art exhibit? That’s our Pat. I can’t imagine the Lower School without Pat’s smile, laughter, and unique sneeze!” Pat, we will miss you more than you’ll know. Thank you for all you’ve done for each one of us and the positive, lasting impact you’ve had on our students over the years!
