In 2021, Cathy retired from teaching French to K-12 students in Honolulu for over 25 years. She spent 23 years as an Upper School (Grades 7-12) French teacher at ‘Iolani School. Known as “Madame'' to students, parents, faculty, and staff, highlights of her career include sponsorship of the French Honor Society, the creation and implementation of upper-level French 4, 4 Honors and 5 Honors courses, development of a French exchange program with Le Caousou in Toulouse, France, and leading spring break trips with students to France and Canada. 

Cathy also served as the President of the Hawai’i Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) for 23 years from 1998 to 2021. In this capacity, she worked closely with Alliance Française of Hawai’i (AFH) as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and served as AFH Development Chair from 2009 to 2021. She continues to help develop and maintain many of AFH’s education programs including Scholarships, Le Petit Atelier, Classe du Samedi (drop-in classes), and Immersion Day. She also continues to serve on the AFH Board Nominating Committee and actively promotes and encourages membership in both AATF-Hawai’i and AFH with students and new French teachers.