Catherine’s Story

Catherine Cohn, a second-generation educator, considers teaching to be in her blood.  Her parents are professors and her mother has also taught at the elementary level.  When the time came to make a career choice; however, Catherine joined the U.S. Navy in the hopes of making her mark on the world.  “While I always admired my parents’ careers, I wanted something more adventurous for myself.”

Catherine spent five years as a Naval Officer, first as a Surface Warfare Officer and then as a Meteorology and Oceanography Officer.  While that time afforded her many memorable experiences, she discovered that the Navy did not fulfill her desire to change the world in a positive and personal way.  “I realized that the favorite parts of my job were training and mentoring junior officers.  I love connecting with other people and learning how they learn—learning from them and learning with them.”  The realization prompted Catherine to enroll in the University of Southern California’s teaching program and follow her calling to become an educator.

She grew up on the east coast, attending Conard High School in West Hartford, Conn., and Harvard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. In the Navy, Catherine earned two Navy Achievement Medals and Surface Warfare Officer and Information Dominance Warfare Officer qualifications.