Teacher helps the community for her “retirement party”

Klager teacher Kathy O’Mara leading a group of National Walk to School Day participants. As a teacher, she has always led by example, modeling fitness, good health, and generosity for all students. Her “farewell parade,” and the final service project of her career, will be held in the Klager Bus Loop on Friday, starting at 11:45 am.

One thing about a good teacher ─ she (or he) is always teaching, no matter what else they may be doing. And  Kathy O’Mara is definitely one of the good ones.

A leader by example, O’Mara has always been an advocate for her students, and is always seeking an opportunity to teach and help everyone around her.

After 30+ years at Klager, she unknowingly taught her last class on Friday, March 13. At that time, O’Mara had not made her final decision about retirement and everyone believed that there would be a return to school before the end of the year. Of course, as we all know now, that didn’t happen. While all teachers have certainly missed their students for the remainder of the year, the lack of closure has been especially saddening for those teachers who are retiring at the end of this school year.

So, to be able to see ALL of her former students one more time, and continue her tradition of giving back to her home town, O’Mara has come up with a final service project as her retirement celebration. She will be collecting boxes of cereal in the Bus Loop at Klager Elementary School on Friday, June 12, starting at 11:45 am.

Through the years, first as “Miss Rose” and then as “Mrs. O’Mara,” Kathy has made friends everywhere she has been at Klager. She has worked under nine different building administrators ─ some of them more than once! Those administrators included: JoAnn Okey, Yvonne Henry, John McGuire, Brian Kissman, Cherie Vannatter, Jennifer Mayes, Karin Villarreal, Nick Steinmetz, and this year, Julie Charney.

“Kathy exudes positive energy everywhere she goes,” says colleague, Ellen Supers. “You always, ALWAYS know (and hear) when she enters a room! She will be your biggest cheerleader and most helpful friend. Her compassion for people is amazing. She has been an important part of Klager for many years and has reached so many students along the way. And being her grade level cohort … there are no words that even come close to describing how much fun that was.”

Kathy O’Mara will be greatly missed by all who have had the privilege to work with her: fellow teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members. So take some time out on Friday, even if it’s on your lunch hour. Drive by, say “hi,” and bring along some boxes of cereal to help those in need in the Manchester community!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.