I was born in Japan to a US Air Force father. We moved around the United States before I married my husband in 1993; a US Air Force service member from Calhoun County, Alabama.  His Air Force  assignments took us around the country, living and teaching in many different states, including Texas, New Mexico and Alaska.  I have four biological children, as well as a few "adopted" ones I took in along the way.  Oxford is my home. I have been at OMS since 2012

I have been teaching 8th grade science content since 2005. I was a child development specialist in Alaska and Delaware for 10 years. Before getting married, I held various jobs in education, from Sunday school to teaching assistant and substitute teacher, so in a sense I have been in education all my life.

In Texas I assisted with youth football and became a certified youth cheerleading coach and have worked with basketball, baseball, and volleyball by keeping the books and clock, as well as being  a referee for flag football. I have been a science fair judge, worked with GreenPower, FCS and sponsored a science club.  I was also  a band mom for over 15 years and served in various band booster positions. 

I love science fiction and comic books. When I am not spending time guiding my students learning, I love to paint jackets and hats, etch glass, and work/participate at collectable/comic book/sci fi conventions. 

I enjoy hiking and being the forest or tending my 4 acer nature trails/garden and swimming with my Alaskam Malamute.

I have two Malamtes and two mixed dogs, 4 cats, 1 ferrett, 1 bearded dragon, glow fish, and a bichar (dianosaur fish)

I have a masters degree in curriculum and instruction and a bachelors in biology and education. I have attended the Ron Clark Academy training and am AMSTI certified. 

I believe that students learn by doing, discovering the answers for themselves. Students should be challenged and encouraged to reach higher than they think they can. I set high standards for my students in behavior, academics and learning and have never had a student that could not meet my expectations. 

I love what I do. I believe in the students I teach. My students will change the world someday. 

"To teach is to instill a desire to learn, while giving the students the tools to teach themselves."

 ~ Kathleen Ragains

Twitter @RagainsScience follow me and see what my students are doing in class.