Echo: Why did you choose Mount Greylock?
Katherine McDonough: I have lived in Williamstown for five years, and I know that I’m really passionate about education. I worked at the elementary school for a few years, but previously I’ve taught high school math for seven years. I felt like I was missing the academic push and the challenge of interacting with teenagers and high school age students. I chose Greylock because I know it’s a great school.

E: What did you do before Greylock?
KM: Before Greylock, I was working as a second grade teacher and a fifth grade teacher at Williamstown Elementary School.

E: What is your favorite part of teaching at Greylock?
KM: I think the students really have good energy, and I’ve had a really nice time getting to know them. A lot of them want to do well and their work ethic is kind of contagious for me, so I want to push them to be better. So, I would say that the students are my favorite part.

E: Why did you choose math and personal finance?
KM: When I was hired as a math teacher, the previous math teacher had taught personal finance, so it’s now required at Mount Greylock and I just happened to pick up this class. It’s in the math department currently, and it’s actually a really cool life skills class.

E: Is there anything you’re excited about for the upcoming year?
KM: I’m really excited that personal finance is a semester course, and I’ll get to know the entire junior class. I really like to know as many people as possible, because that’s my personality. I love getting to know what students do and I will hopefully get to cheer them on either on the field, on the court, at concerts or in the theater. I think getting involved outside of teaching is what I’m really excited about.

E: Do you have any hobbies other than teaching?
KM: I love to cook, so I love to find recipes and make really good food. Something that I actually always dreamed of was owning my own food truck. I also love to be outside in nature hiking, so I feel really fortunate to live in the Berkshires.