Caitlin Moran
Class of 1996
Attended Gulf Stream School for 9 years.
Current Career
I was an eighth-grade English teacher for 10 years, but decided to stay home after my son was born. Since 2018, I have also worked as a travel planner for families from all over the world, coordinating adventures to Disney World, Universal Studios, Europe, cruises, and relaxing beaches!
Family
My husband, Brian, and I met at Boston College and we got married in April 2005. Our son, Lincoln, was born in 2011, and our daughter, Ainsley, joined us in 2014.
The workload, the expectations, the public speaking, and the rigor were only part of what prepared me for life after Gulf Stream. It was also the core values that were instilled from such a young age — being polite; being respectful; speaking my mind, but in a way that showed civility; being a good friend; and being honest, trustworthy, and reliable.
The first was Mrs. Mangione in fourth grade. Her energy and creativity made me smile and made me think in new ways!
The world maps we all had to create, the Greek gods we researched and made portraits of, and the fourth-grade Halloween costume (that year we were Energizer Bunnies and we did a rap for the whole school) are all core memories even to this day! Mrs. Mangione always sat in front of the class in a director’s chair that was higher than the desks, and when I started teaching my mother got me the same exact chair for my first classroom. I used it every single day!
The second teacher who really made an indelible impression was Mr. Winans. Anyone who was lucky enough to have him will not find this surprising. Mr. Winans made learning fun!
We sang songs, made up dances, wrote essays on topics that were actually interesting to middle-school-aged kids, and we laughed — actually laughed in class! Many times, Mr. Winans taught while standing on a balance board, and that year we all wanted one for Christmas. I got so good at it that when I was teaching I would often take out my own balance board as well and teach while on it — my students thought it was so cool and they all wanted one for Christmas, too!
Really, though, Mr. Winans made me feel like I had a voice…a point of view…something to say. He genuinely cared for his students and I hope I was able to bring that to my classroom as well.
Lastly, and again not a surprise, was Miss Gibb. I had known Miss Gibb for many years from just being at the school, but when I entered her classroom for eighth-grade English, my eyes were opened to a love of language I didn’t know I had. We sat in a semi-circle and read Shakespeare, wrote and practiced our eighth-grade speeches, recited sonnets, studied every single aspect of grammar, and learned to question each other, push further in our ideas, and respect each other.
Any special experiences, memories or quotes?
Miss Gibb and I stayed in touch for many years after I left Gulf Stream School, and she loved to hear about my own time in the classroom and how I was teaching To Kill a Mockingbird and all the grammar I made my students learn. Even today, when I am helping my own children with their homework, I find myself quoting Miss Gibb: “Remember, when using few or less this will help — I would like fewer strawberries and less whipped cream!” Her voice, her smile, her compassion, and her love for the classroom are still with me every day!
Back
Education after Gulf Stream School
Saint Andrew's School
Saint Andrew's School
Boston College
Master's degrees in Curriculum Instruction, and English
Current Career
I was an eighth-grade English teacher for 10 years, but decided to stay home after my son was born. Since 2018, I have also worked as a travel planner for families from all over the world, coordinating adventures to Disney World, Universal Studios, Europe, cruises, and relaxing beaches!
Family
My husband, Brian, and I met at Boston College and we got married in April 2005. Our son, Lincoln, was born in 2011, and our daughter, Ainsley, joined us in 2014.
How did your years at GSS benefit you in all of your post-graduate experiences and help make you who you are today?
Gulf Stream School provided the foundation for who I am today. When I left for Saint Andrew’s, I was beyond prepared for the work I was about to get. Even when I entered Boston College, it was the principles that Gulf Stream taught me that guided my studies and led me to success.
Gulf Stream School provided the foundation for who I am today. When I left for Saint Andrew’s, I was beyond prepared for the work I was about to get. Even when I entered Boston College, it was the principles that Gulf Stream taught me that guided my studies and led me to success.
The workload, the expectations, the public speaking, and the rigor were only part of what prepared me for life after Gulf Stream. It was also the core values that were instilled from such a young age — being polite; being respectful; speaking my mind, but in a way that showed civility; being a good friend; and being honest, trustworthy, and reliable.
Who was your favorite teacher(s) and/or what was your favorite subject(s)?
So many of my memories and experiences at Gulf Stream come back to the teachers and staff we were privileged to interact with on a daily basis. Honestly, there were few teachers I had while at Gulf Stream who could not go in this category, but when it comes down to it, there were three who really changed my life and sparked my love of teaching.
So many of my memories and experiences at Gulf Stream come back to the teachers and staff we were privileged to interact with on a daily basis. Honestly, there were few teachers I had while at Gulf Stream who could not go in this category, but when it comes down to it, there were three who really changed my life and sparked my love of teaching.
The first was Mrs. Mangione in fourth grade. Her energy and creativity made me smile and made me think in new ways!
The world maps we all had to create, the Greek gods we researched and made portraits of, and the fourth-grade Halloween costume (that year we were Energizer Bunnies and we did a rap for the whole school) are all core memories even to this day! Mrs. Mangione always sat in front of the class in a director’s chair that was higher than the desks, and when I started teaching my mother got me the same exact chair for my first classroom. I used it every single day!
The second teacher who really made an indelible impression was Mr. Winans. Anyone who was lucky enough to have him will not find this surprising. Mr. Winans made learning fun!
We sang songs, made up dances, wrote essays on topics that were actually interesting to middle-school-aged kids, and we laughed — actually laughed in class! Many times, Mr. Winans taught while standing on a balance board, and that year we all wanted one for Christmas. I got so good at it that when I was teaching I would often take out my own balance board as well and teach while on it — my students thought it was so cool and they all wanted one for Christmas, too!
Really, though, Mr. Winans made me feel like I had a voice…a point of view…something to say. He genuinely cared for his students and I hope I was able to bring that to my classroom as well.
Lastly, and again not a surprise, was Miss Gibb. I had known Miss Gibb for many years from just being at the school, but when I entered her classroom for eighth-grade English, my eyes were opened to a love of language I didn’t know I had. We sat in a semi-circle and read Shakespeare, wrote and practiced our eighth-grade speeches, recited sonnets, studied every single aspect of grammar, and learned to question each other, push further in our ideas, and respect each other.
Any special experiences, memories or quotes?
Miss Gibb and I stayed in touch for many years after I left Gulf Stream School, and she loved to hear about my own time in the classroom and how I was teaching To Kill a Mockingbird and all the grammar I made my students learn. Even today, when I am helping my own children with their homework, I find myself quoting Miss Gibb: “Remember, when using few or less this will help — I would like fewer strawberries and less whipped cream!” Her voice, her smile, her compassion, and her love for the classroom are still with me every day!
Main Campus: PK4 - Gr. 8
Gulf Stream Campus
3600 Gulf Stream Road
Gulf Stream, FL 33483
Phone: 561.276.5225 Fax: 561.276.7115
Gulf Stream, FL 33483
Phone: 561.276.5225 Fax: 561.276.7115
DBC: PK1, PK2 & PK3
Delray Beach Campus
2515 North Swinton AvenueDelray Beach, FL 33444
Phone: 561.278.7735
