Profiles

Kathy states that her Fellowship thus far is three-fold.  Her first endeavor has been to do as much reading and research as possible concerning the structure and process of the U.S. government, as well as all educational issues.  By attending CRS orientation classes, viewing the floor activities of the Senate from the gallery, and doing independent research, she is achieving this goal.  The second aspect of Kathy's Fellowship centers around "shadowing" her supervisors during various staff and conference meetings. She states that this is most illuminating, as the "behind the scenes" look at the process to reauthorize an act such as ESEA is teaching her more about the process of the government than any other resource.  Lastly, she is working on specific tasks to help with education policy more directly.  She is able to provide opinions and a professional perspective during meetings to assist with finalizing legislation concerning bi-lingual education, Title I programs, NAEP, and AYP (adequate yearly progress).  She has also been assigned long-term projects to assist with the reauthorizing of OERI (the Office of Educational Research and Improvement) and IDEA.

Biography

Kathleen McGarvey began her teaching career in 1987 at Miami Carol City Senior High School in Miami, Florida.  Upon completing her Master's degree in April 1990, she moved to The Center for Advanced Technologies, a magnet program in Pinellas County, FL.  Since 1996 she has been with the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, Mississippi—a public, residential program for academically talented juniors and seniors.  During her five and a half years there, she taught Accelerated Geometry through AP Calculus and Statistics.  Additionally, McGarvey developed the curriculum for the school's Mathematical Structures and Designs and History of Mathematics I and II courses which she has taught for five and three years, respectively.  She has sponsored MU Alpha Theta, Junior Class, SADD, and coached cheerleading, girls' softball, tennis, and girls' basketball.  Her experiences and numerous professional opportunities while teaching at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science has helped her to become a National Board Certified Teacher, a Radio Shack National Teacher Awardee, and a Columbus/Lowndes County Rotary Teacher of Excellence.  Beyond her teaching responsibilities, McGarvey is actively involved in the Mississippi Council of Teachers of Mathematics and serves on several school committees, including the school technology committee and faculty assessment committee.  During her summers, she has trained teachers across the state and has taught for the Governors' School for four years.  She states that her passion is the History of Mathematics when she is not teaching and that she enjoys broadening her personal experiences through travel, reading, and studying the behavior of her dog, Sammy.