Kathy Faulkner grew up a Clute girl, attending Clute schools. Kathy was the first of 5 Faulkners that would graduate from Brazoswood High School!
As part of Brazoswood’s first class, Kathy set some the school’s first – she was first to make the all-Brazoria County girls basketball team, the all-district volleyball team and on Brazoswood’s first female team to win a district title! Kathy and her fellow female athletes named the girls’ athletic teams the Buccettes! A name that was used for all Brazoswood female athletes for more than 20 years. Faulkner was involved in many organizations at the new Brazoswood high school, but her participation and dedication to the Brazosport Junior Achievement program garnered her much recognition and eventually a college scholarship.
After walking across the platform with her Brazoswood high school diploma, Faulkner chose to attend the newly constructed Brazosport junior college on scholarship, playing basketball for the school. She received her associate of arts degree from Brazosport college in 1973, and from there, Faulkner headed off to Stephen F. Austin university to play basketball and softball for the lady jacks – through scholarships – a Junior Achievement scholarship, academic scholarships, athletic scholarships for softball and basketball, along with a scholarship in electrical engineering, Faulkner earned her bachelor of science in educational degree. From Lumberjack Country, Faulkner hit the ground running, beginning her teaching career for Clarksville ISD. Teaching English and physical education along with coaching volleyball and basketball, kept Kathy busy, but not so busy that she didn’t have time to meet Clarksville native, Lee Garrison. They married a year later and from there, Kathy Faulkner Garrison set off to teach, coach and impact the lives of as many children as she could. She did all of this while continuing to pitch for a semi-pro women’s softball, traveling around the U.S. during her summers and breaks from school, winning many trophies and titles.
But Kathy’s real focus was one her students, those in her classroom and those on the court. Garrison’s students were successful and the teams she coached were winners, on and off the field. She was named coach of the year 11 times by her peers and her campuses named her teacher of the year multiple times. She was the district 18-a cross country district chairman, the district 18-a softball district chairman, named as a basketball all-star committee member, and was a very active member of the Texas association of basketball coaches. Garrison was appointed by the Texas commissioner of education to serve on the UIL state executive committee for three consecutive years.
Kathy, with lee’s support, chose to expand her focus and work in schools where she felt that she was most needed, collecting numerous ‘god-children’ and thousands of her ’kiddos’ along the way. This meant that although she officially resided in Clarksville, Kathy traveled and stayed in communities where she felt she could make the most impact, often pulling an RV or other mobile home away from home – all with the love and support of her husband lee.
To better meet the needs of her students, Garrison continued to learn and to grow as an educator. She earned a master’s degree in English from East Texas State University, acquired her special education certification, then her mid-management certification from Texas A & M and finally, her superintendent’s certification, also from Texas A & M.
Kathy Faulkner Garrison’s varied and extensive background in public education as a teacher and coach prepared her for her next steps, her steps into school administration. As a campus principal, Kathy took the opportunity to impact the lives of her students with the belief that all students can learn and excel in life. Garrison also served as her district federal programs director and as the northeast Texas advanced placement consultant before moving on to serve as a superintendent.
As an administrator, Garrison belonged to numerous professional organizations such as the American Association of School Administrators, the association of Texas professional educators, the Texas Association of School Administrators, a member of the Texas Association of School Boards, and the Texas Association of School Business Officials. Kathy was very active with the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, where she served on the staff development planning committee and was active on the committee of student affairs.
Kathy Garrison served as Superintendent of Schools for two school districts. First, serving Valley View ISD in Cooke County as its district leader. Then Superintendent Garrison went on to Tom Bean ISD, where she oversaw several campus and district recognitions from the Texas Education Agency as well as, during her tenure, the middle school was chosen by the Texas Middle School Association as a state and national "School to Watch.”
After much thought, Kathy chose to retire from Texas public education, heading back to Clarksville, her permanent home baseBut Kathy quickly became restless and jumped back into public education. This time, just a few miles away from home, but in Oklahoma, where she continues to teach 5th grade to students in Idabel Public Schools.
Throughout her time as an educator, Kathy chose to also be involved in the communities that she served. She was a member of the lions’ club, longtime Rotarian, served as the chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser, was chairman of the St. Jude’s Research Hospital fundraiser, was Vice President of the Red River County Child Protective Services, and currently serves on the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training and many, many more!
Kathy Faulkner Garrison has dedicated her entire career and life to serving children most in need, as a matter of fact, after almost 47 years in public education, Kathy continues to serve students in need of her guidance, her knowledge and her love.
Kathy Faulkner Garrison truly exemplifies the purpose of the Brazosport ISD Wall of Fame – she has truly attained a high level of achievement in her field – the field of education, and she has made significant contributions through her service and leadership in the schools in which she served and the lives of students she has guided.