Shining a Light on . . . Kathleen Nance

Mrs. Kathleen Bugnitz Nance (’07), Chair of the Upper School Science Department, is a dynamic educator that is respected by her peers and loved by students. This week, we are shining a well-deserved spotlight on Mrs. Nance for her dedication to making our school a brighter place for our Stars to learn.

What is your educational background?

I attended the University of Georgia, where I earned my bachelor's degree and master’s degree in science and math education.

How long have you been a teacher? How long have you worked at SAA-SDS?

This is my eleventh year at Saint Agnes and my fourteenth year teaching overall. I currently teach Physics and AP Environmental Science.

Why did you want to become an educator?

I have always wanted to be an educator! My high school science teachers here at Saint Agnes, specifically Dr. Mary McNelis, instilled in me a love of science and helped solidify my desire to teach the subject.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Working at Saint Agnes is a blessing. The faculty and staff are incredibly supportive, and our students genuinely value their education. I especially enjoy creating new lessons and finding ways to bring the material to life through hands-on labs, demonstrations, and other activities that get students excited about science.

How would you describe your role in encouraging young women to pursue majors and careers in the sciences?

I think one of the most important things I can do as an educator is to help students recognize that they can pursue careers in science. I want my students to feel confident asking questions, solving problems, and challenging themselves in subjects that may initially seem intimidating. Ultimately, I want them to leave my classroom knowing that pursuing a career in science is absolutely within their reach.

As Department Chair, what are your goals for the Science Department? Talk about your team in the Science Department a little.

When I began my role as Science Department Chair, one of my primary goals was to get more students interested in pursuing honors and AP-level science courses. We have seen a tremendous upward trend in enrollment in these classes over the past couple of years. This growth reflects the excellent educators throughout our department who work hard to build a strong foundation in science at every grade level. As a department, our goal is to get students excited about science while providing them with the tools and confidence to pursue science majors and careers, should they choose to do so.

Are there any things you are involved in/working on right now that you are particularly excited about?

Last year, Mrs. Mary-Lee Hood and I started a Science Olympiad team, which has been a really exciting addition to our campus. As a department, we strive every day to inspire young women to enter STEM fields, and the mission of Science Olympiad aligns directly with that goal.

The competition consists of 23 events covering a wide range of STEM disciplines, from engineering and coding to biology and forensics. In our first year, we had students place in the local competition. This year, interest has grown, and we now have two full teams of students excited to explore STEM topics beyond the traditional high school curriculum. I love seeing students discover new interests and develop confidence in areas they may not have previously considered.

What is the most important life lesson you want students to learn?

I want students to understand that they are capable of more than they sometimes realize. I hope they learn to embrace challenges, not be afraid of making mistakes, and have the confidence to step outside their comfort zones. Success doesn't always come easily, but perseverance and a willingness to learn can take them a long way.

Which of the Dominican Pillars—Study, Prayer, Community, or Service—is supported most by your role here, or which one impacts you the most/means the most to you?

The Pillar of Community impacts me the most daily. The faculty, staff, and students are incredibly supportive and welcoming, and I am so grateful to be part of such a wonderful community.

What are your interests outside of the classroom?

I love to run and bake!