HEHD Staff Spotlight: Kathleen Grant

Name:  Kathleen Grant
Title:  Program Coordinator
Department/Unit:  Reading Recovery / Teacher Education / Eugene T Moore School of Education

What is your role within HEHD? Describe a typical day at work.  My job is to make sure the CU Reading Recovery Training Center runs smoothly.  That might mean setting up classes and working to enroll students from around the state in off-campus courses.  It might mean working with grant budgets and Clemson accounting folks.  It could mean working with districts around the state to provide support.  I plan conferences and professional developments.  I am a sounding board for ideas.  I support and encourage those working around the state and those in the offices right here in Tillman Hall.  I wrestle the endless paperwork and send it crying to parts unknown around campus.  I do whatever needs to be done.

What do you like best about your job?  The PEOPLE!  I am blessed beyond measure to work with Bill Fisk, CC Bates, Susie McGhee, Maryann McBride, and tons of other wonderful faculty/staff here at the School of Education.  Also, I love being a part of the CU family.  I enjoy working at a place that provides staff the opportunity to be involved and to grow as individuals.  Lastly, I enjoy being a part of Reading Recovery (an early literacy intervention) because my work has meaning.

What's the most interesting thing that has ever happened to you at work?  The day everyone in Tillman Hall had to go to the basement because a tornado had been spotted near the university.  It was a bit chaotic but manageable when all the classrooms and offices were evacuated.  I have no idea how many were involved but we were packed in the basement like sardines.  The students (bless their hearts) kept thinking we, as staff, had the answers to questions about where the tornado was seen or how long we would be in the basement.  We didn’t know half as much as they did because they were the ones with high tech phones and laptops that could access information.  I had a purse filled with tissue, chap sticks, receipts from Wal-Mart, chocolate, and a cell phone that could only be used to make calls. The staff needed the students for information … not the other way around.

Tell us about your family. I have been married to Chad Grant for 16 years.  We have three daughters –
Alana (14),  Kalin (11),  Hayden (3).  Alana is an athlete, a bright student, and a musician.  She plays the Viola.
Kalin also plays sports but is more interested in Art, Drama, and Chorus.  Hayden is a funny, loving, way too sharp three year old.  We share our home with Josie (our dog) and Clem (my beautiful orange cat).

Please list your favorite(s).

• Hobby: Reading, gardening, volunteering in the community, serving at church, and eating chocolate behind my kids back
• Book: Love to read all types of books but my favorite is Christian novels
• Movie: I love chick flicks (of course), Disney (who doesn’t), and comedies.
• Electronic gadget:  Blackberry (I just learned to text and I love it)
• Vacation destination: Costa Rica & Edisto Island. I want to go to Russia, Africa, and Greece
• Music or musical genera: Very eclectic – I like everything from Harry Belafonte to Josh Groban to Journey to Beyonce to Carrie Underwood.  I have even been known to listen to Sports radio (but only when they talk about Clemson).
• Previously owned vehicle: My first car was a blue Ford Granada.  My daddy let me use it to get back and forth to school and work while in high school.  I ran that poor thing through hell but it never faltered.
• Influential person: My parents.  They taught me to be careful with my money, to be a good citizen, to work hard, and to love unconditionally.  Oh, and to laugh.  My Mama laughs all the time.  She radiates joy.  I have tried to focus on the blessings in my life and to radiate that joy but I am still a long way off.
• Person with whom you would like to have a conversation:  Jesus (I have a lot of questions) and/or Mother Teresa (I find her faith and service inspiring)
• Thing that makes you smile: My husband’s wit, my children’s laughter/hugs, my parents’ voice on the phone, my dog when she actually returns the ball, and my friends who love me despite how bad I am at staying in touch.
• Advice received: Anticipate your needs (from my mom) and be frugal with your money but not tight–fisted (from my dad)
• Advice to give: Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect.  It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.