Kathy Gunn

December 28, 1956 - September 11, 2010

Kathy Gunn taught seventh grade life science in Vidalia, Georgia for five years. She then served as the regional coordinator of the Magnolia Midlands Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center (GYSTC) with East Georgia College in Swainsboro. While serving as coordinator, Kathy impacted the lives of many students, teachers, and parents with her expert knowledge of science.

​While completing an internship for her master’s degree, Kathy fell in love with sea turtles. She shared this love with her seventh grade students, and it also heavily influenced her work at GYSTC. Kathy was the first coordinator to develop a professional learning course on Ossabaw Island. With the island as her classroom, she taught educators about sea turtles, birds, archaeology, and Earth science. Island teaching was certainly one of her favorites loves, but she also conducted numerous in-class field trips, family science nights, and planetarium shows. Kathy was the life science guru and developed a 7th grade science activity guide correlated to the state standards while working for GYSTC.

Kathy truly loved the outdoors and all that nature had to offer. Through her active involvement in the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia, Monarchs Across Georgia, and the Georgia Association of Marine Educators, Kathy was able to promote environmental education to students, parents, and teachers. In 2006, Kathy was named the Georgia Project Wild Facilitator of the Year for her outstanding performance and commitment to wildlife education.

​When Kathy became ill, she taught us all to appreciate the beauty in everything and to always look for miracles. She recognized the beauty bestowed upon us by nature and found peace within it. Kathy was always an overachiever – going above and beyond in all she did. She was a blessing. She was a miracle. She was a keeper of secrets. She was a believer of mysteries. She was a catcher of dreams. She was our “Fruit Loop” in a world of Cheerios.

• EEA Member