Catholic Schools Week: Coulson helps diocese’s schools plan, collaborate, thrive

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Kathy Coulson never stopped being a teacher.

Her students are quite different now.

“Just as a classroom teacher observes and assesses each student, learning their personal strengths and areas to improve to make decisions on how to help them grow to become the person God created them to be, I now do that with teachers and administrators,” said Mrs. Coulson, director of curriculum and instruction for Catholic schools in this diocese.

“It may look different because of the way adults learn and the mindset they may have, but I am still someone who helps others to be the best they can be,” she said.

Mrs. Coulson, who previously served for 12 years as principal of St. Brendan School in Mexico and before that as associate principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School in Columbia, took on her new role with the diocese this past summer.

“Everything we do in our schools is stewardship for the goodness and glory of God,” she said. “I see my role in the Catholic Schools Office to be doing the same: strengthening our Catholic schools by using the gifts and talents he has given to me.”

Mrs. Coulson holds a master’s degree and a specialist’s degree in school administration.

Before becoming a principal, she gained experience teaching kindergarten through sixth grade in all core subject areas in public, private and parochial schools.

“I have always held a passion for curriculum and instruction and how to best meet the needs of students, no matter where they are academically,” she said.

One of her talents is being able to examining the “big picture” from beginning to end, and then break it down into steps along the way, using data to inform and shape the next steps.

A lifelong learner, she spends much of her free time researching resources and teaching practices, connecting with other educators and looking to solve problems teachers experience in their classrooms.

“We live in exciting times as educators, with the ability to see how students think and learn, build connections and retain information in the brain,” she said.

This research has led to more effective teaching practices.

“When we know better, we do better,” she stated.

Her experience with when her students and even her own children struggled in school galvanized her determination to find more effective ways to help children succeed.

“God creates us with our own unique gifts and talents,” she said. “As educators, I believe it is our call to help identify those and walk with parents in addressing any struggles students may experience.”

Forging plans

Mrs. Coulson’s role consists of two main areas: curriculum and instruction.

She collaborates closely with the diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools on specific goals and challenges toward updating curriculum in each elementary school.

She maintains a digital library with administrator and teacher resources to support instruction of diocesan curriculum, and provide direction and coordination for how the curriculum is taught, in keeping with diocesan initiatives and best instructional practices.

She also enters, downloads and analyzes student data to monitor and guide instructional programs in schools. 

She works closely with school administrators, helping them select instructional materials, coordinating instructional support for teachers, and when needed, assisting in developing coaching plans for teachers to improve planning and pacing of lessons and assessments and select best practices to meet the needs of students. 

Upon hiring Mrs. Coulson, Erin Vader Ed.D., diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, directed her to work with the diocese’s professional development committees, made up of teachers and administrators, to create three- to five-year plans for several important tasks.

These include: curriculum review and updates; assessment and reporting review and updates; and the professional development needed by both administrators and teachers in order to fully implement the use of these in their schools.

Mrs. Coulson is also working with the textbook committee to identify textbook resources that provide the best support to teachers and students in mastering the diocese’s standards of learning at each grade level.

“These acts help unite our schools as we hold high expectations academically for all of our students and reach those by working together,” she stated. “When we are consistent with one another and united, we can learn from one another.”

She has focused on finding ways to bring school administrators and teachers together to discuss shared concerns and collaboratively solve problems.

Different days

Mrs. Coulson said there’s no such thing as a “typical” work day for her.

“Each day is different, depending on what my focus is for the day,” she said.

Some days, she meets with a committee or makes calls to companies or educational leaders for future planning.

“Other days, I am creating presentations or preparing resources for schools,” she said.

She spends at least one day a week in a school, supporting the principal in whatever ways are needed.

“This may be by providing a professional development presentation, working with a team of teachers or with an individual teacher, observing classrooms, reviewing student data to help inform the principal of next steps, or meeting with the principal to help shape their school’s plan for strengthening curriculum and instruction,” she said.

Her favorite part of her work is visiting the various schools and learning about each’s history and unique culture and climate.

“I learn so much by witnessing their administrators and teachers in action,” she said.

She also enjoys learning about how people think and learn, how it can impact how they act and see others, and new ways to build skills and facilitate learning with students.

“As an administrator, there is little time available to do this, so it is exciting for me to be in a position where that is part of my daily work so that I can help administrators when they need help,” she said.

She also relishes teaching, preparing lessons, getting people talking and growing in knowledge, and hopefully reaching that sought-after “Aha!” moment.

She does those things by presenting to groups of teachers on a variety of topics.

“These days bring me the greatest joy,” she said.

Family ties

Mrs. Coulson grew up on a farm in Curryville and attended St. Clement School in St. Clement, where her father and grandmother had also attended and where her mother was a kindergarten teacher.

“She actually created the first kindergarten curriculum for the diocese,” said Mrs. Coulson, “so I see my work continuing on what she started.”

The teachers at the school prepared the students well.

“As a daughter of a teacher, I could see firsthand the struggles they endured, how their faith gave them strength and direction, and the importance of the parish community,” she said.

All of that led her to admire and respect Catholic educators and want to reflect the same virtues she saw in them. 

Mrs. Coulson and her husband, Scott, have been married for 27 years.

They have three children, all of whom attended Catholic schools in this diocese.

“It is because of their support that I have achieved all that I have in my career,” she stated.

“Faith first”

Because her job is multifaceted and sometimes overwhelming, Mrs. Coulson makes a point of stopping to pray — talking and listening so that God directs her steps.

“That patience and trust in God is something I continue to work on in my faith journey,” she said.

She emphasized that each Catholic school is unique, with each reflecting a family environment.

“Each school family is unique in how it functions throughout the week, how it addresses its own problems, the history it holds — but they each reflect this love among students, teachers, parents and the parish,” she said.

She said those who currently lead the schools are “the strongest and best group of administrators that I have worked with.”

“They show great dedication to their role as administrator and great love for their parish and school community,” she said.

“They model keeping faith first, ensuring that our schools are Catholic schools as we all walk toward sainthood in our lives,” she stated.

Likewise, teachers across the diocese want what’s best for the children in their care.

“They have all been open to hearing what else they can do to improve their own skills and strategies because of the care they have for their students,” she said.

By their fruits

Mrs. Coulson understands Catholic education as an important part of the Church’s mission to praise God, spread the Gospel and serve others.

“Schools help support parents in our most important role in helping one another become saints,” she said.

Children in Catholic schools get to know Jesus and walk with him each day while studying, serving and living as a community.

“Our students are not only prepared academically, but are prepared to use their gifts in service to God and to one another,” said Mrs. Coulson.

“They experience this each day as a school and classroom community in prayer, in the building of virtues to become the best version of themselves, and in giving through service,” she said.

All of this helps the students prepare to put their spirituality, knowledge and skills to work toward transforming the world.

Mrs. Coulson said it’s easy to tell upon entering a school that it’s Catholic, and not just from the sacramentals and artwork.

“You know it is Catholic by the actions of the people there,” she stated. “In interactions each day, you can see examples of charity, compassion, patience, forgiveness, self-control and generosity.”

Students learn how to recognize the dignity of each human person and live with mutual respect.

“This is reinforced in the homily at Mass, in religion classes, as faith is integrated in each subject area, and as teachers help students build social skills interacting and problem solving with one another,” she said.

Marks of success

Mrs. Coulson pointed out that all successful Catholic schools are rooted in fostering a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the communal witness to the Gospel message of love of God and neighbor.

“An excellent Catholic school is guided by a mission that embraces a Catholic identity where there is a focus on the Eucharist and a commitment to communal faith formation,” she said.

Since Catholic schools are a ministry of the parish, helping to fulfill its mission in the local community, “a successful Catholic school will have a strong relationship with the parish community as a whole,” she said.

There should also be a trust between the school and parents and guardians, who are the primary educators of their children.

“By holding these strong relationships, the school will have vitality with the resources it needs to provide an educational experience distinguished by excellence,” she said.

Successful Catholic schools also provide an academically rigorous education that promotes the diversity of individual talents and prepares students to be a source of leadership in the Church and the nation, she stated.

In order to ensure excellence in Catholic schools, Mrs. Coulson recommended praying for teachers, students, and families as they work to carry out the mission set before them.

“Give sacrificially to support the parish and all of its ministries,” she added. “Get to know the teachers and students by greeting them at Mass or parish activities, express you are glad they are there.

 “Volunteer when you are able,” she advised, noting that of the best experiences have come when a parishioner who does not have a child enrolled in the school volunteers in the school.

“It’s a great model for families that their support does not end just because their child has been promoted,” she said.

All of this benefits the entire parish.

“A parish with a school is actively engaging in evangelization of students, their families, and the community as they see the positive impact of living the Catholic faith,” said Mrs. Coulson.

“The schools promote participating in prayer experiences, service in the parish, and living as one community,” she noted. “Providing support to the parish school is providing support for the continuation of the life of the parish.”

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