“Find the Universal.” When Mrs. Gallagher and I chatted about this “mantra” of hers it deeply moved me. Honestly, I have thought about it all week. As our ELL teacher (English Language Learner) she works daily with students from all over the world. In the three buildings that make up Tallmadge City Schools there are over 9 languages other than English being spoken. These are the young people that Mrs. Gallagher works with on a daily basis helping them learn and adjust to the daily demands of being a student in America.

Her journey into education, and especially her journey to becoming an EL teacher is fascinating. What she does now wasn’t her first, second, or even third career.

Her journey through life encompasses time as a mother, grandmother, artist, college professor, poet, editor, author, and so much more. She describes herself as being curious and creative, both attributes modeled by her mother. Her writings, teaching, and stories certainly give evidence to these characteristics.

Below you will find links to much of her work. She has a gift with words and a passion for poetry and art. She is also extremely passionate for her students. She combines her passion for both words and her students in her class and she teaches her students to describe to the world who they are and and to share their personal stories.

I had the pleasure of sitting in on a recent professional development session where she and 6 of her Nepalis students enlightened our educators with strategies and stories of life as an international student at TCS. Their stories moved me. Much like our guest on episode 48, Serif Krkic, many of these young women were placed in the classroom without understanding English. One young lady, her poem linked below, shared with spoken and written word how she came over as a refugee, like Serif. Her poem is inspiring. Please listen to it, as she reads it in her own voice:

Finding Myself

By the time our conversation ended, as you will hear, Ms. Gallagher made it clear that she is passionate about her stories, her family, her art, and especially her students. She demonstrates and lives out the very same characteristics her students have taught her…

Adaptability.

Hospitality.

Resiliency.

Most of all, the ability to “find the universal” in all people. I walked away from this interview better. I walked away wanting to find the universal and make others feel wanted, seen, and heard.

There is a lot to be learned from Kathleen’s story, and so much to be learned from the incredible students she works with daily.

Enjoy episode 51 and be sure to share this episode with a friend.

Click the links below to learn more about Ms. Gallagher:

Take the Q70 to the F Train? -poem written by Ms. Gallagher

Pushcart Poetry nominee in 2012 for a poem in her book “I See Things are Falling”

Edited and wrote forward to Eternal Snow

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