For many people, COVID was a time of great turmoil. People lost their jobs, friends, and any number of other things due to isolation. Everyone’s life plans seemed to get derailed, for better or worse.
Before COVID, MC’s newest volleyball coach and biology teacher, Ms. Mary Kate Byrnes, was on track to a different career
“I wanted to be a nurse, hence the biology major [in her undergrad at Roosevelt University],” says Ms. Byrnes. “Then I started coaching, which led me to teaching.”
Ms. Byrnes went to National Lewis to get her masters in early childhood development. This was around the time that COVID hit, as well the time that her plans for nursing were rerouted. It was then that the odd circumstances of life during COVID took her down a different job path.
Her first foray into being an educator was not too formal. “I taught [MC junior and her cousin] Joey Casica during COVID,” says Ms. Byrnes. “not that he inspired me, but it played a part.”
Therefore, Casica’s need for extra instruction caused a spark that altered Ms. Byrnes’ plan.
She started college at the University of Southern Indiana after being recruited out of high school to play division one volleyball there. Having always been invested in volleyball, she was an incredible talent in high school and college. She was named the MAXPreps/AVCA Player of the Week for the state of Illinois in October of her senior season at De La Salle. This hands-on knowledge of the game factored into the decision to hire her as the newest Caravan head volleyball coach.
Although nursing is not where her career has led Ms. Byrnes, teaching has proved to be a nice alternative to putting that biology degree to good use.
“I used to teach first graders at St. Gabe’s, and then [MC Athletic Director Mr. Phil] Seagroves reached out,” she said. “I was going to coach here last year, but I was busy coaching club.” She has previously coached for the Lyons Juniors club volleyball team in LaGrange and De La Salle.
Grateful for the opportunity, she took the head coaching job this year, along with the teaching role, and she has not regretted it. “Great group of freshmen,” she says of her College Prep-level biology students. “They’re very funny, although it does get rowdy sometimes, especially with twenty-nine students in the class. They’re super awesome and respectful, though. I laugh most of the class.”
Ms. Byrnes is now one of four biology teachers at MC, including Mr. David Glonek, who teaches the honors class, Mr. Jack Mulay, who teaches the Excel level, and Ms. Rebecca Kniebusch, who also teaches College Prep.
Ms. Byrnes seems to be acclimating to teaching high school very well. While thinking about the newest generation of high schoolers, she did a little reminiscing about her high school days. “I did good in high school,” she says. “I loved it. Never valedictorian though. All my friends, volleyball [teammates], teachers were fun.”
Back when Ms. Byrnes went to De La Salle, her classes were single-sex, as they are at MC. Though they were all-girls classes, she still draws some parallels about the sense of community and brother/sisterhood. “I just hung out with my friends at school, all day every day,” she says.
After being welcomed with open arms, Ms. Byrnes has decided that she is quite fond of Mount Carmel. She has always been a football fan, and Mount Carmel can certainly provide in that area. “I love watching football,” she says. “Not part of the decision, but I love watching football. My brothers played, and I watched them growing up.”
Beyond that, the community is growing on her. It’s only been a few weeks, but she feels that she is one of the Caravan now. “Getting to know all of these students, alumni, and staff you start to see how special this community is.” She said. After teaching first grade for three years, teaching freshmen in high school is obviously a bit of a different beast, but she is getting all the help she needs here. “Everyone has been so helpful,” she says, “so eager to help.”
