Et cetera : We Just Had to Ask: Tilford Kindergarten teacher Katie Harms

Katie Harms says a photo of her and fiance James Kuhn at the Ray House is her favorite photo.

Katie Harms is a new teacher at Tilford Elementary, where she teaches alternative Kindergarten. However, she has been with the VS District since 2010, when she began as a Kindergarten teacher at Shellsburg Elementary.

Katie graduated from Mt. Mercy College with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education with endorsements in reading and early childhood. Katie and her fiance, Jim Kuhn, will get married in October, at the Ray House (which was also the site of her bridal shower).

A graduate of Vinton-Shellsburg, Katie says many of her favorite teachers are now colleagues.

Katie discusses teaching and her new name in her answers to our "Had to Ask" questions.

Q. Is there anything that your family asks you not to cook, ever again?

A Macaroni and cheese because I make it too much!

Q. Does it matter in your house which way the toilet paper roll goes?

A. NO!

Q. Tell us about your favorite chair:

A. I do not have one.

Q. Funniest memory as a parent:

A. I do not have any children, but am getting married Oct. 12!

Q. Funniest thing a teacher ever told you?

A. I can't remember.

Q. Funniest thing a student ever told you?

A. I told my students that my new name was going to be Mrs. Kuhn and one little boy said, "Well that sure sounds like Mrs. Raccoon."

Q. Best fast food sandwich ever?

A. Anything from Jimmy Johns!

Q. What was your first job?

A. DJ-ing at the Vinton Skate and Activity Center.

Q. If you were to get a traffic citation it would most likely be for….

A. Speeding?

Q. One place in the world you really, really wish you could visit?

A. Bora Bora

Q. First pet you remember?

A. Spike the guinea pig.

Q. Who was your favorite teacher, and why?

A. I had a lot! Most of them are my colleagues now.. Shirale Hanson, Tina Vasquez, Marty Annis, just to name a few!

Q. Tell us about a favorite Christmas present you have received:

A. Diamond earrings from my fiance.

Q. Strangest thing you did at work that was not part of your official job description?

A. Nothing I can think of off the top of my head.

Q. What is your favorite big word?

A. Fabulous!

Q. Tell us about one of your pet peeves?

A. Not putting the paper towel roll on the dispenser, but putting the roll RIGHT by the dispenser.

Q. What book or author you have not read, but should?

A. I can tell you what books I like to read... HARRY POTTER of anything by Nicholas Sparks.

Q. What happens to the missing socks in the laundry?

A. They are stuck in the lint trap.

Q. Iowa or Iowa State (or other)?

A. Mount Mercy University... DUH!

Q. Was there something your parents said to you, over and over, that you, would growing up, said to yourself, "I will never say that to my kids?"

A. I would not call my kids 10 minutes before their curfew to remind them that their curfew is in 10 minutes. It's a proven fact you can make it from one side of Vinton to another with one minute to spare and I am proof because I did it in high school many times!

Q. Worst TV show ever?

A. Jersey Shore and yes I still watch it!

Q. Best TV show ever?

A. Laguna Beach or The OC

Q. What is your dream car?

A. 1967 Camro

Q. Who should run for President, but hasn't?

A. Someone who can make adult decisions.

Q. Tell us your favorite joke

A. What kind of cheese is not yours? Nacho cheese!

Q. Fill in the blank: In a perfect winter, it would snow…..

NEVER!

Q. Name your favorite:

Comic strip: Dennis the Menace

Candy bar: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Ice cream: Bunny Tracks

Color: Black and purple

Sports team: The Hawkeye's

Actor/actress: Ryan Gosling and ?

Song: Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve

Poem: How about quote instead- "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."

Planet: Earth

Photograph of yourself: The photo of James and me in front of the Ray House, where we will get married Oct. 12.

Q. When and why did you decide to become a teacher?

A. I decided in high school I wanted to be a teacher because I liked seeing children learn new skills.

And finally :

Q. Is there anything you wish we would have asked you?

A: NOPE!