Interview with Katie Ranck
At Pathfinders we are very selective when it comes to hiring potential cognitive trainers. We knew right away that Katie would be a great fit for our company by her contagious smile and kindness towards others. This week we received the opportunity to interview Katie and welcome her to the Pathfinders Learning team!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’ve always loved animals. As a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian or work in an animal shelter. Now, I am aiming to become a School Counselor and help students achieve their educational goals to fulfill their incredible potential. I’ll just have to be a school counselor with a lot of pets!
What is the strangest food you have ever tried?
A few years ago I ate ostrich meatballs and fried crocodile in Nairobi, Kenya. Both tasted pretty good!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Everyone is special in his or her own unique way. Your talents might not match those of your friends, siblings, or classmates- and that is okay. The key is to find your personal strengths and recognize their value.
If you could have any super power what would it be?
I’d love to be able to fly. I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than seeing the world from a bird’s perspective.
What brings you the most joy when working with kids?
I love watching kids grow and accomplish goals they never thought possible.
What was the last really good book you read?
I recently read Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry and it is now one of my favorites. The way McMurtry creates his characters and weaves the plot together paints an incredibly vivid picture of life in the American West. He develops different perspectives and lessons that are thought provoking and inspiring.
If you could paint your office any color, what would it be?
I would love to paint it different shades of blue… my favorite color.
Do you volunteer anywhere?
I do not volunteer at the moment, but I have in the recent past. I spent a lot of time tutoring the students at the School of Squash, a nonprofit organization in Santa Barbara.
What’s a fear you are proud to have overcome?
I have not overcome my fear of public speaking completely yet, but I’ve gotten a lot better!
Who was your most influential school teacher and why?
My Global Conflict professor has had a huge impact on me. He is at a point in his life where he could easily retire, but instead he’s teaching classes, writing books, traveling across the globe giving guest lectures, attending conferences, and appearing as a news correspondent on television. He lives his life to the fullest and has the stories to prove it. He inspires me to live my own life with no regrets and to make sure by the time I’m his age, I’m experiencing life the way he is right now.
Do you have a favorite season?
I love Autumn. The weather is perfect, the trees are beautiful, and there’s Thanksgiving food!
You can find Katie participating in games and activities with the students, while helping them reach their academic success!