Dr. Kathryn E. Qualls
Educational Endowment
for Residents of Smith House
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In honor and memory of
Dr. Kathryn E. Qualls
b. 8/20/84 - d. 4/22/23
Known to family and friends as Katie, Dr. Qualls had a lifelong love of learning and an intense passion for education.
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“Back-to-school” was her favorite time of year, both as a student and as an educator.
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A South Carolina Teaching Fellow, Katie held a B.S. in early childhood education, a M.S. in educational leadership, and a Ph.D. in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She filled many roles over 9 years with her local public school district, serving as a first grade teacher, literacy interventionist, lead teacher, instructional coach, and personalized learning facilitator. The last 6 years of her career were as program director for a nonprofit literacy organization serving elementary students in Title I schools. Katie loved working with at-risk children, teaching them to read and instilling a love of learning. She enjoyed assisting teachers with professional development and curriculum, and had a gift for interpreting and analyzing data.
Though her loss will be felt forever, it is the hope of Katie’s family that her life’s work and mission of education will live on through this endowment.
In honor and memory of
Dr. Kathryn E. Qualls
b. 8/20/84 - d. 4/22/23
A lifelong love of learning.
A legacy of love.
As a teacher, trainer, coach, and leader, Katie understood the value of education, and the power it gave people to chase their dreams.
Our residents in foster care at Smith House are just like any other teens,
with the same hopes and aspirations for brighter futures.
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They have dreams to become pilots, radiology techs, chefs,
social workers, and teachers.
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The Dr. Kathryn E. Qualls Educational Endowment
helps support those dreams through financial scholarships
for our Smith House residents.
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Because of Katie, our teens in foster care at Smith House
will have the chance to chase their dreams.
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Her legacy lives on in them.