KATE ROESSLER

Director of Lower School Academic Support Kate Roessler spent her childhood in Rockland County, N.Y., and has fond memories of Yankees games, Broadway plays, and Madison Square Garden performances. Born in the middle of an eight-sibling pack, Kate and her twin sister surprised their parents with a “trick or treat” on Halloween when the expected solo arrival turned out to be a duo. Kate headed to college dreaming of becoming a teacher, but her trajectory shifted upon discovering the field of speech-language pathology during her freshman year. Kate relishes working with students to enhance their classroom success while making learning fun! Delving into the connection between oral and written language skills, Kate emphasizes the pivotal role language plays in planning, organization, and time management. In 2007 she received a master’s in speech-language pathology. Beyond her professional life, Kate is a mother of three—Nolan, Grant, and Hannah—and met her husband, Steven, playing kickball on the National Mall. Kate finds joy in her children’s first experiences, while cherishing family traditions like Easter scavenger hunts, themed Halloween costumes, and returning to their wedding venue to celebrate each anniversary. Her weekends involve leisurely coffee and reading sessions, followed by energetic lacrosse or hockey games and lively evenings playing Settlers of Catan and Codenames. Kate spends lots of time at the ice rink cheering on Steven and their children, who  all play ice hockey—go Reston Raiders! Kate’s a huge fan of “Survivor,” and has rewatched every season with her husband, who now drinks his morning coffee out of a “Survivor” mug. Being half Irish and half Italian, a trip to Italy and Ireland are on her bucket list. When she was young, Kate did Irish dancing and still remembers many of her routines! Kate just finished reading “All the Light We Cannot See,” and she loves a good before and after on HGTV. Her greatest personal achievement? Parenting three children under six during a pandemic while working full time. Kate says, “It was not for the faint of heart, but it forced us to slow down and put less pressure on ourselves. I am grateful for the extra time we were able to spend all together as a family and for the emphasis it helped us place on what really matters.”

What is one piece of advice would you offer anyone who asks?
“Mistakes help your brain grow.” Advice my 10-year-old learned from his classroom teacher. We all make mistakes. What’s important is being kind to yourself afterwards and learning from them. 

What is the one place in the world you would like to escape to and why?
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I just finished reading the first two books to my children, and I am sure we would love to experience the magic firsthand.

What helps you persevere when you feel like giving up?
Growing up, my mother called my sisters and I her “warriors,” even though we were all small in stature (under 5’2”). That word has stayed with me and grown in significance. When I feel like giving up, it not only reminds me to be courageous, but also that no one is alone during challenges and that we need to trust in and rely on others to help us persevere. 

What is the biggest risk you have ever taken in your life?
While studying abroad in New Zealand I hiked a glacier that has since been discontinued because of how dangerous it was, eek! I also went skydiving and saw “Mount Doom” (the Lord of the Rings’ filming location) during the freefall. 

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be and why or what would you do with it?
I would be an excellent chef with a knack for cooking nutritious meals…in under 30  minutes…that children would devour despite the presence of vegetables and bread crusts and only a regular-sized serving of ketchup. 

What is one of your most treasured objects and why?
I installed My Little Free Library (LFL) in memory of my mother, who instilled a love of reading in me. My aim is to make sure my LFL is stocked with diverse books for a variety of ages and abilities and hope is that my LFL sparks joy for fellow bookworms in my community!