Mary Ann Roche, the school nurse at Romona Elementary School in Wilmette, says she has always liked working with children. On Oct. 12, Roche, who has worked at Romona since 2012, talked with Pioneer Press about the best parts of her job, a favorite summer activity, the kind of movie she won’t watch, and how she would describe herself.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: I grew up in Michigan and I went to Boston College. I like science and I like helping people. And I really like working with children, so here I am. In fact, I’ve always worked in pediatric settings.
Q: What’s the best part of your job?
A: I’d say getting to know the kids and their families, and watching the children change so much between when they come in as preschoolers and when they leave after fourth grade. So much has changed for them in between.
Q: Give us five words you or other people think best describe you.
A: That’s hard. I’d say I’m even-keeled, I’m neat, and adventurous. Other people say I’m confident, kind and loyal. I’ve heard some people say that I’m sweet. And I’m also cold – really! I’m warm in personality but I’m literally cold all the time!
Q: Do you have a cause or charity you’d like people to be aware of?
A: If I have to narrow it down, I’d say educating children in good health habits, like the importance of good eating, and of exercising, and of getting lots of rest. I tell them that it’s important to just take care of your body, because if you can take care of yourself, you can take care of other people, too.
Q: Nobody knows that I –
A: Can water ski. I’ve water skied since I was a kid. It takes a lot of strength, especially core body strength, not just in your arms. I do it every year, just to make sure I still can.
Q: Since we’re getting close to Halloween, can you recommend any scary movies?
A: Oh, no – I cannot watch a scary movie at all! The last one I watched was probably “Scream.” I just can’t watch them.
Twitter @pioneer_kathy
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