Shhhh… This is top secret.
No—this is NOT a retirement announcement. Truthfully, none of us know when Kathy will decide to take that step. Teaching young people is her lifeline, her passion, and her purpose—and whenever that decision comes, it will be a deeply meaningful one.
What we do know is this:
Kathy loves a good party, and this year marks her 31st year teaching in Burbank. Three decades of heart, dedication, laughter, and unwavering commitment to generations of students and families is something worth celebrating in a big way.
We want to surprise her with an epic, well-deserved celebration, and we need your help to make it happen.
Because Kathy knows everyone (and we mean everyone), the invite list will be large. To secure a venue, provide catering, and hopefully cover the technical needs for live music—because we all know she’ll want Barry and others to jam while the rest of us dance—we’re raising funds to bring this celebration to life.
Any funds raised will go first toward making this celebration as special as possible. If there are remaining funds after the event expenses are covered, they will be gifted directly to Kathy—to use however she wishes—as a small token of appreciation for all she has given to others over the years.
Kathy has given her heart, soul, and time to the Burbank community for over 30 years. She goes far beyond the classroom walls, enriching the lives of her students long after they’ve left her care. She follows them through their educational journeys, cheers them on from the sidelines, and ensures families receive the cherished keepsakes that make school years unforgettable. Her impact is deep, lasting, and immeasurable.
If you’re able to donate, share resources, or have connections that could help with a venue, catering, music, or event support, we would be incredibly grateful. Every contribution—big or small—brings us closer to giving Kathy a celebration worthy of all she’s given to others.
There is no date set yet. More details will be shared once plans are finalized.
We are also collecting:
* Stories
* “Kathy-isms”
* Photos and memories
These will help us create a beautiful walk down memory lane for her. A dedicated email has been created to collect stories, photos, and ideas:
Please spread the word quietly to those who love Kathy and would want to be involved—whether by attending, donating, or contributing behind the scenes. If you’d like to be on the invite list (or know someone who should be), please be sure to fill out the Google Form linked below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC9kxsiA5VWag8duzSRhy1yQq8BC72dB6wHN5xsQoq70PIrw/viewform?usp=dialog
And remember… if Kathy finds out about this, she will absolutely kill us—but we believe she deserves this and so much more.
Thank you for helping us celebrate 30 + extraordinary years.
With much love and appreciation,
Jessica Hammeke and Shannon Sarna