About Catherine Gibson

Catherine Gibson is a Connecticut native who taught children her whole life. Growing up with loving and supportive parents, it allowed her and her younger sister and brother to feel the love of a child’s imagination. Cathy and her siblings were always finding and creating games and exploring new adventures. Having a family of her own and raising 2 sons , she wanted to give back.   She began dancing at a young age and studied under the caring instruction of Miss Helyn Flanagan. Cathy sang on three children’s dance albums and performed in several recitals. She continues to help teach dance to this day.   Cathy is always trying to learn new things. She had always been fascinated with sign language and as her children became older, she decided to take a sign language course. While taking courses, the deaf instructor asked Cathy why she was learning sign language. The instructor asked if she had to learn to communicate with a relative or a friend,new who was deaf. To the instructor surprise, Cathy didn’t. Cathy explained to her that she always thought that signing was beautiful and viewed it as a form of dance, which she wanted to learn.   Through her sign language courses at the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, Connecticut, Cathy was introduced to their pre-school program. Since the instructor knew of Cathy’s dance background, they asked her if she would be interested in teaching dance to the preschool children. While Cathy taught dance to the deaf children, it brought a lifetime of joy within her heart. She wanted to spread the word that deaf children also loved to dance. The children add a sweet innocence about them and an eagerness to dance. During the dance classes they would dress up in costumes and the children would mimic Cathy’s dance moves. Every time Cathy came to class, the children would welcome her with their warm smiles and big hugs. It was a learning experience for all of them. The deaf children in Cathy’s class gave her the inspiration and foundation to write her stories.