After teaching for a total of 36 years, biology teacher and leadership adviser Catherine Williamson will retire at the end of this school year.
“Everyone plans on retiring, and this year, I felt the time was just right. It wasn’t a huge epiphany, but as you get older, [you] just think change is good,” Williamson says.
With regards to her future plans, Williamson says, “Well, there will be some traveling. I have season tickets to the Giants, so I’ll definitely be around.”
While substitute teaching is out of the question, Williamson will still keep in contact with the Aragon community.
“I’ve said to people, I won’t sub for you, but I’ll come down and have a cup of coffee and chat,” Williamson says. “The Leadership kids have asked me whether I’ll come down during Leadership, and I’ve said, ‘absolutely not.’ The kids need time to bond with the new teacher, and it’ll put pressure on the new teacher.”
Williamson’s teaching career began with her passion for biology.
“I wasn’t sure what to do with my college degree,” says Williamson. “So, I decided to get my teaching credentials, and I loved it.”
After becoming a biology teacher at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, Williamson received a job offer at her alma mater, the University of San Francisco.
“I worked for alumni relations, and during my time there, they made some changes in development regarding money. I didn’t like how it became, so I decided to get back into teaching,” recalls Williamson.
From there, she submitted her name to the San Mateo Union High School District and found an opening at Aragon.
“It was wonderful because the entire Williamson clan had graduated from Burlingame, and I thought this would be a great time to break from family tradition,” Williamson says.
After landing the job, Williamson began what would be nine years of teaching at Aragon. However, she has not always been the leadership adviser.
“I have always been a biology teacher, but [leadership] goes back to my first school where I was first the spirit squad adviser. They asked me if I wanted to be the activities director, so I tried it and liked it,” Williamson comments.
After the departure of the previous Aragon leadership adviser, Williamson applied for and received the job. From there, she immediately began helping that year’s leadership class with prom ticket sales.
“It’s exciting just getting students involved and getting them to be event planners. It’s centered on time management,” says Williamson.
The leadership class focuses on developing students’ leadership skills through the facilitation of school events. Currently, the administration is still deliberating who will take Williamson’s leadership position.
“We haven’t set up interviews yet,” says Principal Pat Kurtz. “But, obviously, we are looking for someone who works well with students, the faculty, has a positive outlook on the school, and can develop the culture of the school.”
“We have to post the job position online,” continues Kurtz, “Williamson’s [biology] position is only posted for teachers and staff in the district. The application period has just ended, and we will do interviews.”
An internal posting was also made for the leadership position. The application period has ended and a candidate will be chosen soon.
As the administrative process continues, students are preparing for change.
“I’m going to miss her, but she seems happy and has plans. I’m happy she’s happy,” says junior leadership student Gilliana Lau.
To all, Williamson reminds, “Keep doing what you’re doing. Aragon’s a great place.”
