Ms. Cathy Koch joined CHIME Institute’s Board of Directors in 1999. Her association with the CHIME Institute began in December of 1997 when her daughter received non-public funding from Los Angeles School District to attend the CHIME preschool program. She observed her daughter’s social and academic growth flourish in the inclusive setting, and was thrilled when asked to join the CHIME Board. Ms. Koch has served on the board for the past seven years, not only to witness first hand the growth of the Institute, but to be an instrumental force in that change.

It has always been the desire of the original founders of the CHIME Institute to have the parent perspective heard, not only in the classroom, but in the board room as well. As a parent of four children, she brings the parental experience of both the typical and special needs child with equal voice. As an active parent volunteer on her daughter’s campus, Ms. Koch has the unique perspective of working in the trenches on campus, as well as a more bird’s eye view as a board member being a part of the decision making team. As parent volunteer at CHIME she has:

• served on committees for every fundraiser
• formed the Parent Association and served as president or co-president for four years
• served as a contributor to the Parent Handbook
• editor of “This Week at CHIME” (a weekly calendar of events for parents)
• co-contributor to the California Charter School of the Year document