Meet Cathy

Dr. Cathy Callow-Heusser is a dedicated advocate for Utah students, families, and educators. Her campaign for the Utah State School Board District #1 seat is built on a commitment to putting kids first and strengthening public education.

Cathy has been a math and reading/literacy educator, instructional coach, instructional developer, and evaluator. After working for 10 years as a software engineer at USU’s Center for Persons with Disabilities prior to completing education degrees, Cathy taught at Cache High School, Bear River Middle School, and Utah State University, where she served as math faculty and the Director of Developmental Mathematics and Statistics. Cathy worked for the Utah State Board of Education as coordinator for the Utah Multi-Tiered System of Supports and as an instructional coach for many Utah districts. She has also served as an instructional coach in schools throughout the country including schools served by the Bureau of Indian Education and in remote northern Alaska villages.

As a staunch advocate of public education, Cathy believes taxpayer money earmarked for public education should remain with public education. Public schools (including Utah’s charter schools) serve every child, regardless of income, background, ability, or individual needs. Families are free to choose private education, but public funds should not pay for that private choice.

Cathy has worked in Title 1 schools for much of her career, promoting the Science of Reading and Science of Learning best practices and Structured Literacy. She helped develop the I See Sam books used in many Utah schools and in schools nationwide. Look at the Acknowledgements and you’ll see her name! She has strongly focused on closing the gap for students with disabilities, students in poverty, and students who are traditionally underserved or marginalized. Currently, Cathy works as a professional development provider and literacy coach for a large educational organization, working with educators in Title 1 and tribally-affiliated schools.

Cathy raised four children (Jenny Elwell-Gerken, Jimmy, Bryan and Caleb Elwell) in Cache Valley, all graduates of Logan public schools. With her husband, Val Heusser, she has three bonus children, 10 grandchildren, and two furry companions. In her free time, she hikes, skis, quilts, and reads. Additionally, Cathy is an active Mama Dragon providing support to moms of LGBTQ+ children as well as LGBTQ+ youth and adults.

Dr. Cathy earned degrees from the University of Utah (BS 1984, Computer Science) and Utah State University (MS 1996, Instructional Technology; Secondary Education Licensure, 2001; PhD 2011, Education: Research and Evaluation).