This school year, the English Department welcomes Katie Regan. Regan, who recently moved to Salida, teaches 9th and 10th English and is also the advisor for the Tenderfoot Times. With more than a decade of teaching and educational experience, Regan brings a love of storytelling and effective communication to Salida.
Regan grew up in Sebastopol, California and has lived in a handful of other western and rocky mountain states on her route to Colorado. After completing her undergraduate studies in Latin and Nonfiction Writing and playing collegiate tennis at DePauw University in Indiana, Regan moved to Montana to work as a grant writer for a small community non-profit and enjoy Bridger Bowl’s cold smoke powder. While grant writing was fun, Regan’s favorite part of her day was coaching Park High’s tennis team in Livingston, so she decided to give teaching a try. “I quickly realized that I wasn’t made for a solitary job,” Regan explains, “I needed a job where I was interacting with other people frequently and engaged with my community.”
Sad to leave the grizzlies and wolverines behind, but excited to pursue teaching, Regan moved to Colorado Springs in 2016 to further her studies at Colorado College. During her time there, Regan studied both Latin and English secondary education and received a Masters in Teaching. Throughout her teaching career, Regan has taught middle school and high school Latin, Greek, and English. “Language and storytelling have always been an integral part of who I am,” Regan says. “I think developing your voice and telling your own story is one of the most powerful tools we have,” Regan continues.
In her free time, Regan loves to look at maps and plan bikepacking and backpacking trips. She spends her summers sleeping outside, looking for marmots, riding rocks (well, trying), and identifying wildflowers. She spends her winters reading fiction, drinking spicy chai, and backcountry skiing. “If I wasn’t a teacher, I’d definitely have a career where I could be outside for most of the day. I love watching how our landscapes change throughout the seasons,” Regan explains.
As for her first impressions of Salida High School, Regan is grateful to be a part of this kind and hardworking community. “Teachers and staff here are compassionate and truly care about the success of their students,” Regan states, “and I love how curious the students are; they ask such excellent questions.”
On her transition to Salida from the Front Range, Regan comments “I love Salida because it has the perfect intersection between community and access to the outdoors.” Regan states, “It’s so cool to teach students that have similar interests to me. Even though Colorado Springs is only two hours away, it feels like a different world.” The hustle and bustle of Chaffee County is just the right amount. Not sitting in traffic is a wonderful change for Regan. “I love the slower pace of life here. Being able to ride my bike or walk to school is awesome,” Regan says.
Regan is excited to continue learning about and meeting students and staff at the high school!
