ABERDEEN, S.D. – At May Overby Elementary School, Kathy Webb was known for her poetry—when teachers exchanged secret valentines, everyone knew which one came from Webb because it always included a poem.
Now, the retired teacher has taken on another form of writing. Webb recently published a book about her life, titled “Recollections & Reflections.”
Webb decided to write the book after her sister wrote one, thinking, “If she can do it, I can do it.”
So, Webb sat down each Saturday afternoon and wrote a little bit every week. Then, with help from her daughter, Webb self-published “Recollections & Reflections” in April through a program called Storyworth.
The book features stories from throughout Webb’s life, along with several photographs, and even some of her original works of poetry.
It also includes a chapter about Webb’s time at May Overby. Webb was a special education teacher, and she said the best part of the job was working with the kids.
“They’re just so precious,” she said. “You just love them to pieces.”
She recalls times she helped students figure out how to do something, like a boy who was struggling to write the number eight. Once he accomplished it, he said excitedly, “I did it!”
“The light bulb goes on,” she said. “Always a teacher’s favorite moment.”
Webb retired in 1997 after 21 years of teaching. Today, she still meets for coffee with fellow May Overby retirees, and she still gets called Mrs. Webb when she runs into former May Overby students.
For new teachers starting out in their careers, Webb offered some advice.
“You learn a lot more working with the kids than you do from all your classes,” she said.
Webb’s new book wasn’t her first publication. She previously self-published her poetry, titled, “A Poetry Sampler by Kathy Webb.”
This includes her favorite poem, “To a Treasured Friend,” which she wrote in 1996 for her friend, Bobbie Rieck. The poem was published in the 1997 edition of Treasured Poems of America and won third place in the Delta Kappa Gamma poetry contest in 2001.
As for her new book, Webb said she wrote it for her family and gave each of them a copy. Webb and her husband, Bob, have four children: Kevin (CHS class of 1981); Stephen (CHS class of 1982); Laura Stewart (CHS class of 1983); and Daryl (1986 Roncalli graduate). They also have three grandchildren.
For others considering writing a similar book, Webb encourages them to do it.
“I just recommend it to anybody,” she said. “Your family will enjoy it.”
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.