Bits ‘n’ Pieces: A literary legacy for late teacher
By Stover E. Harger III
Published: October 2, 2014, 5:00pm
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Erin Kutchera and her mom, Nancy, look through one of hundreds of books that were purchased for Hathaway Elementary School's library with donations made in the name of late third-grade teacher Susan Champion.
A beloved third-grade teacher who died from cancer in May has been given a literary legacy.
Susan Champion, 59, who taught for more than 20 years at Hathaway Elementary School in Washougal, was known for her love of reading and education. So what better way to honor her memory than with a bonanza of books for her school’s library?
It was Champion’s request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Hathaway library following her death.
In her wake, a flood of donations poured in.
Washougal’s Arcturus Marine Systems, which employs Stanton’s husband, John, and a subsidiary each donated $1,000 to the fund. Donations poured in from the community. Eventually, more than $7,000 was gathered for the library to spruce up its collection.
Since the donations began, Hathaway librarian Kathy Stanton has been busy buying up new books, many on themes that were near and dear to Champion’s heart.
“She was a big fan of folklore, fairy tale and mythology,” Stanton said. She also solicited input from teachers, learning that adding more modern science books would be a great help to their lessons.
So far Stanton has bought about 300 books for the library, with each title featuring a commemorative plate with Champion’s name. Many of those books have already been checked out by enthusiastic students and teachers who use them in the classroom.
There’s still about $3,000 left to spend and Stanton said she’s thrilled to continue improving the library’s collection, especially since it’s something Champion would have loved as well.
“I think she’d be blown away and delighted,” Stanton said. “Deeply, deeply delighted.”
The new additions to the library were displayed during Hathaway’s curriculum night on Sept. 16, where students, parents and teachers happily flipped through the wealth of titles scattered around the room.
“To see all of these books is overwhelming and beautiful,” Nancy Kutchera said in a press release. She dove into the sea of colorful new books with her daughter Erin during that celebration. “The books are beautiful and kids will be excited about what they will see on the shelf. I believe it will make a difference in the quality of students’ reading.”
Stanton got to know Champion over the last few years and said the teacher was thrilled whenever she spotted one of her students smiling wide as they read through a book.
To be able to remember Champion in such a fitting way is a “deep joy,” Stanton said.
Bits ‘n’ Pieces appears Fridays and Saturdays. If you have a story you’d like to share, email bits@columbian.com.
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