Cathy Ormsby grew up in Creede. She arrived in 1983 and fell for the mountains, the town, and its people. She got her Master’s degree in elementary education in 1987. At that time, with no teaching openings in Creede, she and her husband purchased the vacant, dilapidated Creede Hotel and worked to bring it back to life. When they sold the business in 2000, Mrs. Ormsby became Creede’s kindergarten teacher. Since then, she has taught nearly all the elementary grade levels, the last few years having been in 2nd, her favorite.

Cathy has a passion for teaching reading. Early in her tenure, she received extensive literacy training through the Reading First program, and she continues to spend much of her free time learning more about the science of reading. Her other interests include hiking, cross country skiing, gardening, and cooking.