Kathryn Petaja

Hi! I’m Kathryn Petaja (Puh-tie-yuh), the Math 8 and Math 8 Lab teacher at C. R. Anderson Middle School and an Advisor on the 406 team.

I grew up in Albany, Georgia, and I moved to Helena after graduating from college in 1995. When I moved here, I didn’t know anyone (it was quite the adventure!). Helena quickly became home, and I’ve lived here ever since.

I began teaching in 2002 after completing the teacher education program at Carroll College (Go Saints!), and I moved to CRA in 2004. I’m a total Math nerd and a creative writer. I love teaching middle school and my students; they’re “good medicine” and fill my days with laughter.

I’m currently a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno-Lake Tahoe in their low residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. My writing focus is creative nonfiction.

I am a newlywed, married to my best friend since October 21, 2021. I have two children — a 17-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. We have two dogs, five cats and an aquarium of fish.

For fun, I enjoy traveling, driving my Mini Cooper, baking, creative writing, reading, acting and studying Algebra and Calculus.