The Burks Elementary gym renamed in the honor of the late teacher and volleyball coach Susan Kirkpatrick, known by her students as Ms. KP.
Burks Elementary Principal Heather Tinch said Kirkpatrick taught PE, and she was Monterey High School’s first volleyball coach. Tinch said Kirkpatrick passed away suddenly in 2013. Tinch said scheduled work on the gym made the timing right for renaming the gym.
“The gym was her classroom, and so, it just seemed that when we had the opportunity to get that re-finished, that we memorialize her classroom in her honor,” Tinch said. “Because she spent many, many hours in that gym.”
Tinch said Kirkpatrick meant a lot to the community because of her kindness, energy, and love for the students she taught. Tinch said her impact continues to be felt, as many former students were present when the new floor was unveiled earlier this week.
Tinch said Kirkpatrick was a high-energy teacher who would be remembered for her smile, charisma, and being a team player. Tinch said renaming the gym floor for Kirkpatrick carries on her legacy.
“[Kirkpatrick] is an honorary physical education teacher here at Burks Elementary, and this is just one way that her memory can be commemorated by students,” Tinch said. “Because they are in that gym every single day. They can know who she is, know what she stood for, and the lasting impact on Burks remains because of her name being on that floor.”
Tinch said people should know that Kirkpatrick had a passion for education and the students she encountered. By adding her name to the gym, Tinch said present students can share in that legacy.
Tinch said she did not get to know Kirkpatrick personally, but it is evident that the Monterey community holds her memory close to them.
“Because of the lasting impact that she had, I feel like I do know her,” Tinch said. “I’m very proud and honored to carry on her memory, her legacy by having her name on our gym floor.”
The newly refinished gym floor now reads “Susan Kirkpatrick Memorial Gym” in the corners of the basketball court. The floors were refinished earlier this summer.
