Choir teacher Katie Gerrich has been teaching at McClintock for years, and has become an important part of hundreds of students’ lives. She has reached out to students every year, becoming family to every student she encounters.

“She’s like a mom to me,” senior and president of Choraliers Ashley Jones said. “She’s really involved in my life.”

Gerrich has inspired her students to pursue their career of choice, regardless of others’ opinions. In fact, Jones, senior and president of Women’s Chorale Ami Campillo, and senior and vice president of A Cappella Damon Helton have all decided to pursue a career in music, and have been supported and encouraged by her.

“I’ve had family who tell me to do something different, but she has inspired me to continue music.” Campillo said. “She shows me every day the importance of music.”

Gerrich has shown her student the importance of being themselves, and following what they truly believe is right for themselves. She does as much as she can for her students, giving them all the opportunities she can afford them.

“Mrs Gerrich gives me a lot of personal feedback about my performance and has been very supportive of everything I do. She’s given me a lot of opportunity for personal growth,” Jones said.

She helps her students to believe in themselves more than they did previously, often when they didn’t believe in themselves at all the first place.

“She’s helped boost my confidence, which is something I’ve had issues with before,” Helton said.

Her attitude brings her closer to her students, her positivity a key factor in their love for her. She’s enthusiastic about her job, and it shows in her classes.

“When I first met her, I could tell right away that she had a positive attitude and had a lot of energy for teaching and that she was really excited about being with kids and teaching music,” Jones said.

A beloved teacher, Katie Gerrich has been an inspiration and an important part of her students’ families.