A goal of Valley Lutheran this year is for our readers to get to know our outstanding teachers better, so we will be shining the “Spotlight” on each of them in the weeks ahead. You will learn some facts about them, but more importantly you will see how their hearts and commitment shape the ministry that is VLHS.
Where better to start than with our principal, Mrs. Kat Stokes? In her previous four years on the staff she served as Assistant Principal and taught Freshman English, AP English, and AP Literature, but this year she will only teach Journalism 2nd semester because of her busy role in school leadership.
Ironically, when asked to describe her path within the field of education, Mrs. Stokes responded, “I NEVER wanted to be a teacher. My littlest sister and I even pinky swore to each other we would never be teachers and now we are both in educational fields.” But after exploring some other career paths, she said it was obvious she was meant to be a teacher when a college class reignited her love for reading and writing and she also found a passion for coaching Track and Field. Her undergraduate degree is from Western Michigan University in Secondary English Education and her graduate degree is in Educational Leadership from NAU.
She has attended and presented at NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English), been a board member of the AETA (Arizona English Teacher Association), and currently sits on the board of ALSO (Arizona Lutheran Scholarship Organization).
Mrs. Stokes describes VLHS as a family. “We have structure and rules and traditions that are so familiar that you feel at home.” She also says “
That is unique in itself, but it brings a whole new dynamic to our campus that you won’t find elsewhere.”
Her family consists of her husband Keenan, daughter Annie, and son Christian.
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