LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kathy Kish was nominated by her district's executive director of student and staff services, Tracie Eschenburg.

Ms. Kish is one of the most giving, caring people you could ever work with! She leads by putting her whole self into everything she does for her staff, students, families, and community. Port Huron Schools was blessed to have her join the team in 2017 after a long and impactful career as a teacher, counselor and administrator in a neighboring district. She is well known in her county as a caring educational leader who is always willing to try new things to meet the social and academic needs of students. 

Ms. Kish came to Port Huron Schools with a desire to make a positive impact, both at Kimball Elementary and within the community. Her years of experience and track record of success prepared her for the challenges she would face at Kimball, a rural school with a high level of poverty. She knew there were many obstacles that Kimball families faced, including transportation barriers and lack of adequate resources. Ms. Kish doesn’t see obstacles, but opportunities to build relationships and provide support. 

Ms. Kish welcomed the opportunity to be the first school in her district to implement a partnership with a local counseling agency. The primary goal of this partnership is to meet the social-emotional needs of students while reducing barriers such as transportation or coordination of services between support agencies and the school. A side benefit has also been the professional learning and support the outside agency provides to staff as they work with some of the most challenging students. Ms. Kish's background in school counseling and her huge heart for others has been part of this success. She operates under the belief that school should be the hub of the community, and she knows that often times, it is the safest, most stable place for children. 

Ms. Kish does not just work with students and their families during typical school hours. She goes to their neighborhoods to make connections, from staff Christmas caroling and back to school home visits, to group bike rides and Popsicles with Principal Kish. Ms. Kish also chose to adopt a family in need and gathered a group of friends to regularly provide food, clothing, parent education, and community-based experiences for the children, all out of her own paycheck. She personally takes them to a variety of local spots to provide experiences they otherwise would not have, such as the local waterside park, the local parade, and even their first time ever going to a restaurant. In addition to donating her time, money, and talent, she has taught them social skills by role modeling throughout the time together. This personal mission of hers started when a young student called her on her cell phone over one weekend. He said that he found her number in his mom’s phone and didn’t know who else to call because they were hungry and there was no food in the house. Ms. Kish took action because she cares. 

In addition to leading the school, Ms. Kish coordinates with other local charitable organizations to provide for the needs of her families. One of those is Tires and Treads, a nonprofit that serves to collect and provide gently used clothing (especially shoes), as well as funding so that elementary schools can replenish their supply of these items, should they run out. Ms. Kish also created an outdoor food pantry, which is filled weekly by staff and other donors. The pantry is open to families and the Kimball community. She was not directed or asked to create or coordinate these resources. She simply saw a need and took action. Her staff supports her because they see that she leads with a genuine desire to improve the lives of others in need. 

In her second year as principal of Kimball Elementary, she learned that the school would be closing due to decreased enrollment in the district and a need to restructure. She took the lead to keep the atmosphere positive with a focus on celebrating the Kimball legacy rather than the sadness of closing the school. Over 300 people, mostly alumni of Kimball, attended the Legacy Dinner she hosted at the school. The Kimball students were disbursed to several different buildings, with the majority following Ms. Kish to her new assignment at Indian Woods Elementary, which is just a few miles down the road. She embraced the change as the leader of a new school, and she has brought many of her ideas to support families in a new segment of the community.  

Her commitment to creating a better community extends beyond her school. She is on the Executive Committee of the St. Clair County Child Abuse and Neglect Council and President of  the St. Clair County Virtual Learning Academy Board of Trustees. In these roles, she is able to advocate for families throughout the community.

"Kathy has positively impacted so many lives and is constantly seeking ways to do more for our schools and our community," said Eschenburg. "I can think of no one more deserving for this honor."

Comments (47)