About Me

Hi! My name is Kathryn Sorensen (but I go by Katie) and I am in my second year of teaching kindergarten at Bryant Elementary School.


I am originally from Olympia and moved up to Seattle to attend the University of Washington and study Marine Biology. At the time, I was in my ninth year of commercial fishing with my dad in Alaska and thought that was the profession I would be continuing for the rest of my life… as you know, that was not the case. At the start of my Junior year of college, I had my “mid-schooling life crisis” (as I like to call it) and could not ignore my calling anymore! I moved to the Early Childhood and Family Studies major and never looked back. I took two years off from school between my undergrad and my master’s degree (2017-2019). During that time, I was an infant teacher at Bright Horizons in University Village and worked alongside another teacher to care for eight infants. I completed my Masters in Elementary Teaching degree at the University of Washington in 2020 and interned with Kevin Gallagher throughout the school year (distance learning and all).


Outside of teaching, you will often find me going on adventures with my kitty, Zeke. Zeke has become an honorary member of 104 and has even visited the classroom! He is both the love of my life and the bane of my existence. When I’m not trying to get Zeke down from the top of the closet or taking my classroom papers out of his mouth; I am usually doing something by the ocean, reading, singing, crafting, skiing, traveling, going to sporting events, eating, taking pictures, playing guitar, doing archery, watching movies, or hanging out with my family.

Pictures

My dad and I next to his commercial fishing boat, the Paige Marie (named after my mom)

My family


Sister - Emma

Dad - David

Mom - Paige

My 1st day of kindergarten

Zeke's 1st day of kindergarten (during virtual learning)

Visiting one of my favorite places (Disneyland)

The best classroom helper around

Archery at Dromoland Castle in Ireland

Playing in the snow with Zeke

Seeing the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, AK in -30 degrees

I graduated with a BA in Early Childhood and Family Studies and my Masters in Elementary Teaching

Hiking the Kalalau Trail in Kauai, HI

Catching my 1st baseball during batting practice

About Me - Survey

My Birthday: 03/26/95


What are your favorite...

  • Colors – pink, purple, and blue (really, anything rainbow lol)

  • Coffees/teas/drinks – iced white chocolate mocha with caramel drizzle (my guilty pleasure😉). I also like root beer or flavored sparkling water.

  • Edible treats – Cinnamon rolls, rice crispy treats, milk chocolate with sea salt, Carmel anything.

  • Stores – Target, Amazon, Michaels, TJ Max, Fred Myers – basically anywhere with LOTS of options and decently priced!

  • Restaurants – Yard House, Red Robin, Olive Garden

  • Types of food – I’m a big burger or chicken strips person! I also like almost any Italian food (as long as it doesn't have mushrooms). YAY carbs!!!

  • Flowers – I love succulents – they are resilient/not toxic to cats and my nonexistent green thumb lol. My favorite flowers are peonies or lilies (except I have to keep them in the classroom because they are toxic to cats🙄)

  • Animals – Elephants and narwhals

  • Artists – ANY musicals/Disney music!! Music that I can belt out in the car is my jar😊 I have been exploring more music recently as I learn guitar (a lot of classic rock).


Other questions:

What activities or hobbies do you enjoy?

Pretty much anything cat-related (going on walks, playing, snuggling, etc.), puzzles, playing guitar, singing, reading, crafting, skiing, snuggling up on the couch, and watching TV.

Do you have any allergies, aversions, or foods you just don't like?

All good on allergies. The only thing I am totally against is mushrooms, chunks of tomatoes, and spicy foods (my taste buds are weak!!)

Can you name 5-10 items that you'd love to have for your room's supply closet?

  1. Books, books, books! There are so many fabulous new books, but the price adds up quickly:/

  2. Fun free choice activities (Legos, plastic play people, animals, puzzles, etc.)

  3. Counting objects (beads, rocks, hard noodles, etc. – things that can fit 20 or so in a box)

  4. Calming toys (fidget spinners, containers with fun liquids inside, etc.)

  5. Cleaning supplies (Clorox wipes, cubed tissue boxes, sponges, etc.)

  6. Art supplies (pipe cleaners, yarn, scrapbooking papers, etc.)

  7. Extra magazines/calendars you have lying around your home (things to cut pictures out of for different classroom activities).

What is the best way to make you feel appreciated? Your teaching love-language, as it were.

Definitely words of affirmation! Especially this year when I don’t get to hear from families as much in person. I just want to make sure I am doing what is best for everyone’s kiddos!!


Wishlists/Donations

Here is the link to my 104 classroom "things" wishlist:)

Here is the link to my 104 classroom "book" wishlist:)

Teacher's Pay Teachers is a website where teachers gain access to wonderful resources created by other teachers. If you would like to donate to our classroom TPT, I can use those funds to purchase some fun, engaging, age-appropriate activities for 104.