Lansing USD469 Employee Spotlight: Holly Kane, K-3 MTSS Interventionist
Our "Employee Spotlight" series aims to showcase the unique personalities, talents, and stories that contribute to the success of our district. This section celebrates the incredible individuals who make our Lansing USD469 community thrive.
Holly Kane, K-3 MTSS Interventionist
Question: How long have you worked for Lansing USD469?
Answer: 14 years
Question: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and the role you have within the school district?
Answer: I am a product of Lansing schools- my parents, Rick and Janie Hodam, came to teach in Lansing when I was a first grader in 1985. I graduated from Lansing High School in 1997. I got my degree in elementary education and Spanish from KU and taught for 5 years in Texas while completing my Masters in Library Science from the University of North Texas. My husband and I returned to Lansing in 2007. I was a school librarian in Leavenworth for four years before coming to USD 469. I was the school librarian at LES from 2010 until 2017. I have taught kindergarten, first grade and second grade and have been a reading and math interventionist for the past five years. We have three children in the Lansing school district. Haven is a sophomore at LHS, GG is an eighth grader at LMS and Deacon is a fifth grader at LIS.
Question: What do you enjoy most about your role and the work you do in the school district?
Answer: I love teaching small group reading and math intervention! For some students, the thirty minutes they spend with me may be the only time throughout the day that they receive instruction that is “just right” for them, targeted directly to their missing skills and building upon those they have already mastered…not too easy and not too hard. In my classroom, they are able to experience success and their confidence grows right along with their skills. I also enjoy the role I play on the Student Improvement Team, monitoring the progress of students in intervention and problem-solving with teachers, parents and support staff to ensure students are receiving the supports they need in order to close the gap and catch up to their grade level peers.
Question: What is something unusual about you that most people don't know?
Answer: I studied French for four years and Spanish for eight years. I thought I wanted to be an interpreter or a linguist before realizing that all I really wanted to do was work with kids- I was recruited to teach in Texas where the school I taught at was over 80% Spanish-speaking. Even though it isn’t necessary as often here in Lansing, I am always happy when I’m able to use my Spanish during Parent-Teacher conferences or with my ESL students.
Question: Could you share a particularly heartwarming or memorable experience you've had while working with students or colleagues?
Answer: I ran into a former student at the gas station a few years ago and I called him by name even though it had been about eight years since I had had him in library class. His dad said, “oh, I see you have your mom’s gift for remembering kids’ names!” He had had Mrs. Hodam as his school counselor years before and she too remembered nearly every student by name before she passed away of Lewy Body dementia in 2021. It was quite a compliment to be compared to her!
Question: When you're not working, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
Answer: My family is very active at Wallula Christian Church where I sing on the praise team. I read ALL the time- last year, I finished 203 books! I love cooking and baking and cheering my children on at all of their activities.
Question: What piece of advice would you like to offer to students to help them succeed and make the most of their educational journey?
Answer: A good attitude and a good work ethic will take you so far in life so always look for the good and always try your best!
STRATEGIC PLAN: Positive Culture - Develop incentives to assist in recruitment/retention of all staff.