Bryan Stalder
Contributor

The historical weight of teacher Cathey Dodd’s tenure at James Elementary School (5810 Scarritt Ave.) is staggering. James Elementary first opened its doors in 1910; by completing 43 years of service—all of them at James School— Dodd has been a fixture at the school for nearly 40 percent of its entire 116-year history. Now, at the end of this school year on May 27, she plans to retire.

When Dodd first stepped into a classroom at James Elementary in the fall of 1983, (at that time, she was known to her students as Ms. Wright,) students still began their day in the classroom reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Ronald Reagan was president, the world maps in the classrooms included the USSR and Zaire, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video hadn’t yet been released, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was a brand new cartoon, a gallon of gasoline only cost $1.16, and “the internet” and “cellular phones” still seemed like the plot of a science fiction novel.

In the four decades of rapid cultural and technological shifts that followed, Dodd has remained a remarkable pillar within Northeast. 

Dodd’s journey to the classroom didn’t begin with a college application; it began in kindergarten. A self-described “crybaby” who was often anxious and afraid, Dodd found her sanctuary in the care of her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Wayman.

“Her calm and caring presence helped me feel safe,” Dodd recalled. “She never let my fears distract her from teaching. I decided then that I wanted to be a teacher.”

Following her graduation from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO, Dodd interviewed with four principals in the Kansas City Public Schools (which at that time was the Kansas City Missouri School District). Principal Eugene Wolkey of James Elementary offered her a teaching position. That is how she launched a career that would span four decades teaching many different grade levels and touching thousands of lives in the Northeast.

In 1983, the world didn’t just look different, so did James School. Teachers parked on the street because there was no parking lot. The playground was at the street level on N. Topping, and there were houses located where the soccer fields are today. There were no elevators, no central air, and no security badges.

“I believe the building was remodeled twice during my time,” she says, noting the addition of the Science Lab, STEM classrooms, and modern safety measures.

The neighborhood changed around the school as well. Dodd witnessed the Northeast transform into a vibrant, multicultural hub. While the student body was primarily Black and white in the early 80s, the last 30 years have brought families from across the globe into her classroom.

“The children are basically the same,” Dodd observes, “except they are more vocal now. Because our school is multicultural, they have more to share and more to learn.”

Perhaps the most profound testament to Dodd’s tenure is her “Wall of Fame.” For years, she has kept photos of former students in her classroom. Today, those former students are returning to James Elementary—not as children, but as parents.

“Seeing former students return as parents of my current students is one of my greatest joys,” Dodd says. “Last week, I recreated the wall, and students from all over the building are coming to find their family members. That they trust me to educate their children speaks volumes.”

While she earned a reputation as a “strict” teacher, Dodd was never one to shy away from the lighter side of education. Whether it was playing kickball, racing students on the playground, or rolling down the hill with them, she ensured that joy was a staple of the James experience.

Dodd’s impact extends beyond the students to her peers. She has mentored at least nine student teachers who have gone on to become leaders in education both locally and abroad. Her excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed; she has been recognized as a District Top 10 Teacher, a Star Teacher Award recipient, and even sat in the prestigious Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat at a Royals game.

However, the accolades pale in comparison to the daily hugs she receives from current and former students.

“Not everyone has the privilege of living out their dream job, and I have,” she said. “I want them to remember that I wasn’t just there physically, but that I was always present and that everything was done in love.”

As she prepares for retirement, Dodd is looking forward to trading lesson plans for travel, gardening, and spending time with her family. Her advice to the next generation of educators is rooted in the same grace she has shown her students for 43 years.

“Every day is a new day. Don’t expect to be perfect; just be yourself,” Dodd said. “It is okay to apologize to your students… they need to see that you are just like them, a work in progress.”

While Cathey Dodd may be leaving the classroom, her influence remains etched into the history of James Elementary and the many generations of Northeast families she helped raise.