Former high school business teacher and vice principal Kathleen MacDonald was named as the Grand Marshall of the annual Parade of Champions in Santa Clara, California, October, 2022. Photo Credit: DKG
It is always a pleasure to share stories of exceptional educators. One of these is Kathleen MacDonald, a former high school business teacher and Vice Principal from Santa Clara, California.
In 1964, Kathleen accepted a position as a business and typing teacher at Adrian C. Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, California. She served in this position until 1993, when she became the school’s Activities Director. In 1995, she was promoted to Vice Principal of Student Activities.
Kathleen is obviously beloved by her students, even the ones who had already graduated. “Mrs. MacDonald fosters an environment where students can intellectually and socially mature,” declares former student Heather Narciso. “She deals with the most unique and dynamic personalities of Wilcox and is committed to helping students succeed in every facet of their lives,” Narciso continues. “Every student has different leadership skills, but when you graduate, you know you’re the best leader that you can be—thanks to Mrs. MacDonald,” she concluded.
“Mrs. MacDonald offered me endless support when I was in high school, but what really makes her stand out is the time she invests in her students’ lives after they graduate,” said Narciso. “She keeps track of her former students and genuinely cares about their future and lives in the real world.”
Kathleen was inducted into the Delta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in 1984, a prestigious organization for women educators. She served her chapter as their Scholarship Chair for many years.
For her many years of dedication as an educator, Kathleen has earned many accolades. In 2011, she was honored by the San Francisco 49ers and Symetra Financial as one of their “Hero in the Classroom” winners. On Oct. 1, 2022, Kathleen served as the Grand Marshal for the annual Parade of Champions in Santa Clara. Two weeks later, this Chalkboard Champion was honored when the Santa Clara Unified School District, to whom she has dedicated nearly 60 years of her professional life, opened a brand new high school christened Kathleen MacDonald High School in her honor. To learn more about this auspicious day, click here.
