Kathy Mahler:
CLASS OF 1976
Arcadia High SchoolClass of 1976
Arcadia, CA
California State UniversityClass of 1980
Los angeles, CA
Kathy's Story
Update July 2015
I've been back in Iowa since October 2012. After living and working in Berlin, El Salvador for about 4 years, I came back to the States to be with my mom during her final stages of Parkinson's Disease. I also re-married in July of 2013 to a fabulous man named Mike Bassett. We live in Grimes, Iowa. We are both still involved in the Our Sister Parish Mission work in El Salvador and travel back and forth frequently. I work as a substitute teacher in the West Des Moines Public Schools. I love to teach in every grade (especially kindergarten-2nd and high school special ed). This job allows for flexibility in travel. The best part is that I get to work with all ages, at all the different school buildings and in a huge variety of jobs. I love the diversity of work! My favorite work assignments are with my special children!
Update November 2011
Yes... still in El Salvador. Little by little my spanish is getting better (finally after 3 years!!). Son Paul is still in New Zealand with his wife and my other son Thom will be getting married July of 2012 to long-time girlfriend Kayla. They are both teachers. How cool is that?
Update October 2010
I'm still in El Salvador and still loving my job. I've made friends and 'family' that I will treasure always.
My two sons have the best news - the oldest - Paul - is teaching elementary school in New Zealand. He lives there with his wife of two years - Hea Young.
My yourger son Thom has begun his third year of teaching H.S. band in Parkersburg, Iowa.
Incredible!
Life
2009
More changes! I've up and moved to El Salvador serving as a "Mission Co-Worker" helping facilitate social justice projects in the dirt floor communities here. I've been here permanantly since January and could very well be here for 3-5 years.
I love my job. I get to be the liaison between the churches in Iowa that have partnered with a community and the work they do. I help keep thier relationship alive when they cannot be here themselves.
And when they do visit for a week, I get to play host/chauffer/educator/ and whatever else they need!
Check out my blog on the oursisterparish website and you can read my stories if you are interested.
2005
If you even remember me, you might not know me anymore. I'm still a bit shy and somewhat 'bookish'. I've chosen my "career" (a very loose description since I am 'just an associate' in a public school) as an elementary school librarian because I LOVE the little children and I love turning them on to literature. (Another 'loose' term if you site the works of Seuss/de Paola/San Souchi and Yorinks as 'literature').
The children have kept me young. My...Expand for more
own boys are both off to college and beginning lives of their own. I have re-discovered friends - very silly ones at that - and have discovered I have a love of travel and mission. I love to travel to Europe with high school students each year, but my biggest joy is going to El Salvador (where there are NO creature comforts) forming relationships with the people of a small mountain village. We've (my church) built water collection tanks, a clinic, a sewing academy (complete with solar power) a community kitchen and bathrooms in this small canton. Previously, one had to walk 1 1/2 hours to get a cantara full of water for their home! It is very exciting work. I've been 3 times and plan to go every year. The people are incredible. I've learned a lot about what what it means to give (and receive). My Spanish has improved as well!
Update: April 2007
I've now been to El Salvador 8 times and have quit my day job at the school to become the Project Coordinator for a fairly traded coffee called Don Justo Coffee with Dignity. I send the proceeds back to the community we have a partnership with for water purification, education, medical, and other social justice efforts. I LOVE my job. I now travel to E.S. 2 times a year.
I have two sons - Paul is 24 and is done with college and is teaching in Taiwan this year then Korea next year. My other son Thom has only one semester left then he will student teach: either high school or elementary instrumental music. I have one teacher husband, one muttly kind of dog who is very sweet, a quiet house in a quiet suburb or Des Moines, Iowa. I work out of my home and enjoy being able to do the little things in life that bring me joy. I've discovered I'm a closet Sweet Potato Queen (find the book, you'll understand) and that surprises me a bit. It's a good thing to discover. I hope to hear from any old friends/acquaintences. I love going to the reunions with my good buddy Kathey Anderson Yauk. Maybe I'll see you at our 35th coz I had to miss our 30th!!
If you find yourself in Iowa, drop in. Say howdy. Check out my website and google: oursisterparish you can find my email there and send me a message.
As they say in El Salvador: con mucho carino (with a tilde over the n) (with much affection)
kathy
College
I commuted to Cal State L.A. from Temple City. I am SO glad my boys are experiencing dorm life. I never did. I wonder if I would be different now?
It was not easy to really connect with people at Cal State. Too huge and commuting didn't help. I did however meet my husband there...he was in the graduate department in Education and I was in the elementary ed program as well.
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