With more than 50 years combined at Whittier College, Cathy George, credential analyst of education and child development, and Associate Professor of Education and Child Development Kathy Ralph will retire. During their time at the College, George and Ralph helped foster hundreds of students and future educators to achieve their academic and professional goals.
Ralph joined the Whittier faculty in 1995 after teaching in preschools, elementary and secondary schools, community college, and universities in Washington, Arizona, and California. Her primary role within the teacher credentialing programs was teaching literacy development coursework, including children’s and adolescent literature. For many years, Ralph hosted a Children's Literature conference that honored award-winning children's authors and provided education workshops for educators. She also partnered with teachers at Broadoaks and in local public schools to provide opportunities to connect theory and practice for future teachers to develop their instructional practices in the area of reading development.
“I look forward to spending more time with family and friends, and pursuing multiple hobbies, and of course, reading,” said Ralph, who will be able to increase her volunteer work in the Brea and La Habra schools. Her travel plans include assisting her granddaughters in their goal of touring every presidential library and visiting all 50 states. She also has two children who graduated from Whittier.
George began her Whittier journey in 1987 as an administrative assistant in the Whittier Scholars Program. In the summer of 1990, after meeting with the Director of the Broadoaks Children’s School, Professor Judith Wagner, she became intrigued with the idea of learning more about teacher education and becoming a credential analyst. That year, she began working in the department of education and child development.
“It has been a wonderful career,” said George. “I have worked with amazing colleagues and students, and not one day in 30 years have wished for any other job.”
Both George and Ralph have children who’ve graduated from Whittier, giving them another strong connection to the Poet family.
“Kathy and Cathy will both be greatly missed,” said Associate Professor and Chair of Education Shannon Stanton. "We will miss their joyful spirit, smile, and willingness to always help out. They are truly great colleagues."
