Cathy McBroom
Hooks Independent School District
Cathy McBroom did not always know she wanted to be a teacher, but she always knew she had a heart for children. As a teenager, she worked in a children’s program at church and loved babysitting. “Then, as a single mom, education drew me in because I could be on the same schedule as my children,” Cathy says. “I started as a paraprofessional and quickly realized this was what God was calling me to do all along.”
For the last 29 years, Cathy has been teaching at Hooks ISD. She currently teaches fifth-grade Reading Language Arts (RLA). Then, she serves in two other positions: Campus Testing Coordinator at the Junior High Campus and English as a Second Language (ESL) Coordinator for the district. “I think that one of the most rewarding aspects of my work is witnessing the growth and progress of my students,” Cathy says. “I love watching them grow academically and socially and seeing their confidence bloom throughout the year.”
Though she has many accomplishments, the one that brings Cathy the most pride is her ability to create a positive learning environment in her classroom. “Students feel safe to participate and voice their opinions without feeling inadequate to others. They feel respected, which motivates them to learn,” Cathy says. “This environment positively influences their academic achievement and builds personal growth and development.”
One thing Cathy is passionate about is that education is so much more than academics, even though that is what most people think of immediately. “Education is learning to build relationships; learning how to see the value of making mistakes and growing from them; it’s understanding that everyone is different and respecting the differences. It’s being able to show empathy and learn to be part of a community,” Cathy says. “As teachers, this is just as much our job as teaching the curriculum.”
When students are welcomed into Cathy’s classroom, she will provide them with a safe place to express their thoughts and ideas and challenge them to engage in learning actively. “Learning is a lifelong journey. If you are not learning, then you are really not living. Therefore, I believe education must be active,” Cathy says. “Teachers must provide opportunities for students to actively be engaged in the lessons and facilitate learning in a way that students claim it. Education is not a one-size-fits-all assumption. Not every person learns the same way. Learning is very diverse, and teachers should provide differentiation to make learning possible for all students.”
Two of the most challenging aspects of Cathy’s job are the diversity of student needs and assessment and accountability. “Not all students are the same; they come to us with varying needs and learning styles, which can be overwhelming at times,” Cathy says. “Another challenge is that teachers are required to meet growth standards for state assessments, which makes it necessary for us to analyze data and design assessments that meet state standards and the needs of our students.”
However, even on the toughest days in the classroom, Cathy knows she can rely on her colleagues and family’s faith and support. “I know I could not make it through my day without prayer and God’s guidance,” Cathy says. “My colleagues are my second family, and we always encourage and lift each other up. I have been very blessed to work at a school that supports me.”
Cathy is the daughter of Cecil and Reba Rains, and she has one brother, Chad Rains, and one sister, LeAnn Grgurich. “I have been married to Bill McBroom for the past 24 years, and we have a blended family that consists of five girls: Tia Cooper, Kaitlyn Hensley, Breanna Murphy, Emily Jones, and Makenna McDonald. We have seven grandchildren, two nieces, and two nephews that we totally adore,” Cathy says. “My family has supported me in many ways, like decorating my classroom, putting furniture together, rearranging furniture, and moving from one classroom to another. They understand the demands of teaching and always have encouraging words, especially when I find myself out of sorts. I’m very proud of my girls and of my family.”
As the world continues to change, and Cathy thinks about what education will look like for her seven grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, she believes that education needs to embrace technology and promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “Our world has become technology-driven, and it is challenging us all to adapt to new ideas in society and the workplace,” Cathy says. “To be successful in and outside of school, students need to be able to think critically and problem solve.”
Teachers also need to practice these same skills as they adapt to the ever-changing world of education. Over the last 29 years, Cathy has seen how teachers have to display adaptability and flexibility to stay current with the latest trends in education. “You can count on something to change, and you need to be able to adjust to those changes on the fly,” Cathy says. “Another lesson I have learned is to always communicate well with parents and coworkers. I have learned that communication builds relationships with parents, enhancing the students’ success.”
As she prepares for her thirtieth year in the classroom, supporting and teaching students, Cathy acknowledges that education is more than just a job and a paycheck to her. For Cathy, teaching is a calling. “I feel that I’m where God wants me to be. I’m in a place where I can love and nurture the growth of my students,” Cathy says. “I love seeing their faces every day and helping them to grow into loving and caring people.”
Fun Facts:
- If I could return to high school, I would focus more on academics because I wasn’t prepared for college.
- The best advice I’ve ever received as a teacher is that parents send us their best and that we should treasure our students in our classroom.
- My favorite subject in school was home economics because I learned things I could apply to my life and see the results.
- My dream vacation would involve traveling around the United States and staying in unique places. I’d like to go sightseeing because I believe there are many great things in our country worth seeing.
- One thing my students probably do not know about me is that I like to take pictures and scrapbook.