Kathryn Murphy - Kindergarten Teaching Associate

Kathryn (she/tree/her) was raised in the Philadelphia suburbs and graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Germantown and began her journey with young learners as a children’s library specialist at a Quaker school. More than twenty years later, she still lives and works in the neighborhood.

Kathryn first joined the GSFS community as a parent in 2023, when her child entered fifth grade. After falling in love with the school community, she was inspired to join the staff as a Teaching Associate in the Lower School. Kathryn loves sharing books with children that offer windows into the beautiful diversity of our world—and mirrors that reflect each child’s unique light. She gets so excited about sharing stories that students often ask, “Is every book your favorite book?!” As a meditator, Kathryn also finds joy and peace in sharing mindfulness practices with our youngest learners.

Outside of the classroom, you’ll most likely find Kathryn walking among the trees in the Wissahickon, biking through the city, scouring library shelves for the next great read-aloud, or connecting with family and friends.