Her Story
About Kate
I have approximately 12 years of experience in education across a variety of roles. I earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, which initially led me to work in zoos. However, I found that those roles offered limited opportunities to engage with people, so I transitioned into zoo education, where I could focus more on teaching and public engagement.
I later joined Van Andel Institute for Education, initially working with their animal collection. Over time, I was recruited into an administrative role, where I have now spent the past five years providing support.
In my current position, I primarily support our Director by coordinating travel and logistics to help expand the reach of our programs and messaging. Our organization develops educational resources that empower teachers to create classroom environments where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking thrive. I also work directly with educators to coordinate field trips to our facility, where both students and teachers engage in hands-on learning. During these visits, teachers have the opportunity to observe best practices in action and gain strategies they can implement in their own classrooms.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kate
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having a team and a manager that really see my potential and support me to grow in ways that I both want to grow for myself and ways that they want me to grow for them. My manager and our director have helped me the most and make a great deal of change in the education world. They've instilled in me the want to grow and that drive to keep learning, even as a professional, and creating space for other people, making sure that they feel supported to do that as well.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received is to never stop growing. A lot of people in their professional life start to get comfortable with the position that they're at, they're happy where they are, but there's always somewhere to grow. There's more of an impact that you can make somewhere. My manager now has instilled in me that want to grow and that drive to keep learning, even as a professional, creating space for other people, making sure that they feel supported to do that as well.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let a barrier stop you. There are always going to be roadblocks to your work, or something stopping you from continuing the path. Keep asking questions, and keep trying to find ways to better yourself and the people around you by questioning barriers.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the most significant challenges in education right now is limited funding, which impacts both educators and organizations working to support them, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Many teachers do not receive sufficient financial resources from their schools to enhance their classrooms or implement practices that improve student outcomes. Meaningful educational improvements often require investment, whether in materials, professional development, or innovative programming.
This is where nonprofit organizations like Van Andel Institute for Education play a critical role. By developing high-quality, affordable resources and professional learning opportunities, we help bridge the gap and ensure that teachers have access to the tools and support they need. Our goal is to empower educators in ways that may not always be possible through traditional school funding, ultimately benefiting both teachers and their students.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Communication and honesty are most important to me, especially in a professional world. I think having communication and honesty within your team and with other departments, being able to communicate openly so that you can work towards the same goal is the most important thing that anybody can have in their work and their personal life.
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