Teacher Kathy Norante leaves her mark on Knoch
JEFFERSON TWP — The students who have been impacted by Kathy Norante span half a century, perhaps as great an impression as anyone has had on Knoch School District.
Over the years, the Butler County native enjoyed nearly every second of it.
“I feel very fortunate that I’ve been able to go to work every day, and love what I do — to be able to have that passion for those kids, because that really is where I wanted to be,” Norante said.
At Knoch’s school board meeting Wednesday, April 8, Norante was honored for her years of service. Norante will retire at the end of this school year, capping off 50 years with the district.
“We want to recognize Kathy as she concludes an extraordinary, and historic, career at Knoch School District, marking an incredible 50 years of dedicated service,” superintendent David Foley said. “1976 to 2026, it’s a milestone that will be difficult to ever duplicate. I think I can say with confidence nobody will every do this again. It’s quite a feat.”
Norante’s teaching career spans grades and subjects. She taught a third-grade class at Saxonburg Elementary for 17 years before switching to Title I reading and math in grades kindergarten to six, traveling between Saxonburg and Penn elementary schools. She currently teaches reading and math for first- and second-graders at Knoch Primary School, a position she described in the Butler Eagle’s Soar publication as fantastic for her due to her educational background.
A class of 1972 graduate from Knoch, when it was known as South Butler County School District, she stayed in Butler County. Norante went to Slippery Rock University, where she graduated sixth in a class of more than 1,300 students.
Norante said in addition to staying in the county, it was an easy decision to take on a career in teaching. “It was all I ever wanted to do,” she said.
Foley applauded Norante’s Knoch career, describing her as wonderful with children, and as a voice of reason at the primary school.
“Throughout her tenure, Kathy has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism and care for others,” Foley said. “Early recommendations from her mentors described her as enthusiastic, kind, conscientious, dependable and dedicated. She demonstrated these throughout her five decades of service.”
Beyond supporting her students, Norante credited her co-workers over the years for helping those students grow and creating a welcoming environment she loved being a part of.
“I grew up in this community, I’ve been here for quite a few years. So this was a very difficult decision for me, to go this year. I struggled with it, and I’m still struggling with it,” Norante said. “It’s going to be really hard to leave such wonderful families at Knoch, and my students, and the amazing students and staff we have in this district.”
“In all this time, beyond being colleagues, they have become family as well,” she added.
