Kathy Berman
Longtime Colorado educator Kathy Lynn Berman passed away Oct. 31, 2019 in Louisville. Funeral services took place Nov. 3 at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Rabbi Yechiel Erlanger of Aish Denver officiated and eulogies were delivered by her brother Kerry Berman and former students Aaron Hirsh and Josh Maximon.
Ms. Berman, a native of Denver, was born May 7, 1951. She spent most of her life in Boulder and the last few years in Louisville.
She was a graduate of Cherry Creek High School and CU Boulder, from which she also earned a PhD in curriculum development.
Berman spent most of her career teaching fourth and fifth grade students, and spent approximately five years as a principal. She retired in approximately 1999.
“Kathy (or KB, as they called her) had such a huge impact on her students that they never forgot her, and carry with them today, well into adulthood and while raising their own children, her lessons on how to respect themselves and their work,” her family said about her.
“We learned that joyfulness and seriousness are not, in fact, contrary but very much aligned, and that is as important as anything else I learned in school,” said Hirsch, a former eighth grade student of Ms. Berman’s from the early 1980s, in his eulogy.
Another former student, Maximon, said at her funeral: “As you get experience in the world, it is common to hear discussions about that one teacher in your life who makes a difference. It is a person who inspires you, opens up doors and makes the world a brighter place. When I think of that . . . my thoughts immediately drift to KB.”
Maximon noted that many other students in the schools where she taught were similarly affected by her teaching.
Kathy Berman is survived by her brothers Kenny (the late Isabelle) and Kerry (Mindy) Berman; and many nieces and nephews.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or Smile Train.
Copyright © 2019 by the Intermountain Jewish News
