Meet our KDG Team

Name: Mrs. Kathryn Howard

Role: Kindergarten Teacher (starting in the 2021-2022 School Year)

Education: I am a product of Webster Groves School District! I went to Bristol, Hixson, and WGHS. I attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Maryville University where I earned my Master's in Education.

Share something no one knows about you: I have taught in Webster Groves School District for 29 years, 28 of them have been in Kindergarten.

My Family: My husband Mike and I have been married for 27 years and we have two amazing daughters-Caroline who is 23 and a graduate from Murray State University and Audrey who is 21 and a student at Missouri State University. We have two crazy dogs, Maisey, who is 10, and a crazy new puppy named Penny.! I love going on long walks with my dogs and my daughters, and binge-watching Netflix on snowy and rainy days. I have included pictures of these members of my family below.

What I am looking forward to: The opportunity to truly be a part of the community we serve.

A quote I like: "Education is not a filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."-Yeats

Name: Mrs. Jessica Johnson

Role: Kindergarten Teacher

Education: Teaching is my second career. I graduates with my Bachelor's degree from SLU and got a job working for the Chicago Bulls Basketball Team. Later, I decided to go back to school to pursue my teaching passion and got my Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Dominican University. While working on my degree, I taught preschool for 2 years.

Share something no one knows about you: I was born and raised in the city of Chicago (AND yes, I'm a Cubs fan...don't hold it against me!) I have two younger sisters, one older brother, and over 30 cousins!

My Family: For fun, I love spending time with my family, going for runs, or doing yoga, traveling, and spending as much time as I can outside.

What I am looking forward to: I look forward to being part of the Givens Team that gets to create and build a successful and thriving neighborhood school.

A quote I like: "Be the person you needed when you were younger!"-Ayesha Siddiqi

Name: Ms. Danielle Taylor

Role: Kindergarten Teacher

Education: I attended Oregon State University where I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and another Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a focus on Child Development. Go Beavers!!

Share something no one knows about you: My first year of teaching was virtual. It was challenging and fun!

My Family: My family and I are from the beautiful state of Oregon. My fiance, pup, and I made the move to Missouri in the summer of 2020 to begin our new journey. A few things I love to do are spending time with my family, exploring the outdoors, playing all kinds of sports, and I can't forget to mention that board games and word puzzles are my jam!

What I am looking forward to: I’m looking forward to our community coming together to focus on building strong connections with one another and discoverinfg all of our unique strengths to learn and grow from.

A quote I like: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” - Maya Angelou

Being a new teacher, I have a lot to learn so this quote means to me that I will do the best I can each and every day. When I gain more knowledge and experience I will use that to strengthen and grow.