About Katie
Hello everyone! My name is Katie and I am excited to begin my fifth year teaching fifth grade at Lake Balboa College Prep. Prior to teaching at LBCPM, I taught first grade in Palmdale and kindergarten in New Hampshire.
I am originally from Massachusetts and moved to California in 2018. I currently live in the Valley with my husband, Doug (also a teacher), and our son, Fionn. Fionn is almost three years old and being a mom brings me so much joy. I am also a "mom" to our two terriers, Frodo and Sam. In my free time, I enjoy camping, traveling, playing guitar, running, and cooking.
I graduated from the University of New Hampshire with my B.S. in Child Development (2014) as well as my M.Ed in Elementary Education (2016).
As a teacher, the most important thing to me is building trusting and caring relationships with my students. Meaningful teaching and learning cannot take place without these foundational relationships! This year, I am excited to be teaching ELA and Social Studies to all fifth graders. I am looking forward to collaborating closely with Madison and co-teaching together. Some of the highlights of fifth grade for me (and my former students) include novel studies, monthly heritage projects, science experiments, team building activities, and of course, fifth grade culmination.
I strongly believe in open, frequent communication with families. Please contact me at any time with any questions or concerns! I am looking forward to an awesome 2023-2024 school year with all of you!
Katie O'Hearn- 5th grade