A Joy to be Around
For over thirty years, Colleen McCarthy was a source of light, laughter, and friendship for Primary School faculty and students
— By Kathy Boero, Head of Middle School & Compass Team Director
There are those certain very special and unique colleagues who, if you are lucky, right from the beginning bring to your day a spark, a special optimism, and inspiration. A colleague who when you see them in action – in the classroom working with children, on the playground or dining room supervising and serving – you immediately feel a touch of joy to be in their company due to the genuine love, zest, service and true passion in their style and tremendous work ethic. That special colleague and dear friend was Mrs. Colleen McCarthy. I met Colleen when I first came to Prairie in 1996. Mrs. McCarthy and Mrs. Rodgers co-taught The Shining Stars Early School classroom. Colleen was also the head of the after-school program: back then it was called P.E.P. (Prairie’s Educare Program), but soon was renamed as Stay & Play. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Colleen scheduled the after-school Stay & Play faculty and did all of the planning for the students who remained on campus until parents were able to pick them up. She was often at school through 6:00PM if parents needed her to be there. Colleen was the consummate servant-leader who never complained about long days or late parents. Instead, her sense of humor and love for creating a caring and enriching environment for our youngest students were always evident. I fondly remember many of her favorite things: sharing humorous stories about time spent with her children and grandchildren, the brownies served by our lunch faculty, spending time sitting on the floor teaching and guiding children, and going to Las Vegas with friends. Colleen McCarthy was full of life and thoroughly enjoyed her family and her profession. Even when Colleen began to experience challenges with her health, she would call me and let me know her interest in substitute teaching, “Just as soon as her health allowed.” Colleen McCarthy’s passion and servant leadership will always be remembered, as will her smile and the warm humor and love she brought to every day at The Prairie School. 24 | prairieschool.com
