Hopkinton Middle School Teacher Running In Boston Marathon

HOPKINTON, MA - Hopkinton Middle School art teacher Katharine Brummett has two rhythms that run through her life - her passion for running and her love of the arts, particularly art and music.

The Upton resident is now able to combine these priorities by running in the Boston Marathon on April 18 to support the Hopkinton Music Association.

Brummett, who first ran the Boston Marathon in 2019, teaches design, digital art, animation, photography and video. She received a bib from the school's Desire to Inspire program. She decided to choose the Hopkinton Music Association as her charity because of the impact it has had on her students as well as to support her colleagues.

"I know for some of my students, the community that they have from being involved in music is so important," she stressed. "It feels really good to be giving back to that program in a way that's special to me."

Brummett said she has been a runner for a long time. She saw this as a way to sponsor the program while doing something she loves.

"People who are not runners have said to me, 'How can you run a marathon? That sounds so unpleasant," she said. "But I do it because I love running. It's one of the only times that I can just be fully quiet, meditative, and reflect on or prepare for my day."

This is her fourth marathon in total, but she said "the Boston Marathon is magical and so special."

"I have lived in different points along the route, and the support is so incredible," Brummett continued. "Magical is the only way to describe it. You feel like a celebrity."

She loves running through Wellesley because there is a group of women "who are so loud and so supportive, it's deafening. They are so supportive."

Starting in Hopkinton is another highlight, as well as cresting Heartbreak Hill.

Brummett took up running after graduating from college because her roommate had been a runner.

"I'm not a really fast runner," she explained. "But endurance is one of my strengths."

Running became an addiction for her after she did a half marathon with her roommate. She did six or seven half marathons before trying a bigger challenge.

"I don't know how many more marathons I will do because it's so hard on your body," she explained. "I don't know if this will be my last marathon, because I want to continue to run for fun."

Her family has been very supportive, particularly during the four months of training. She gets up at 4:30 to run before school. And she loves volunteering in support of the Hopkinton Music Association.

"It's so important to keep the arts alive in our district," she added. "I do really feel like Hopkinton is so supportive, as far as the community, the parents and the families. I am so appreciative of that, and the kids who participate are so well rounded."

Brummett began her education career as a student teacher in several districts but found Hopkinton to be the most supportive of the arts, she noted. Middle school students have two visual arts classes in their curriculum, and afterschool arts activities abound. There are a number of bands as well.

"The kids are so young that they don't really have the perspective to realize how special these offerings are," Brummett added. "They have access to this piece of software and this piece of equipment for free, so I tell them to live it up. I also show them how the things I teach in my classes can be applied to other classes."

One year, she had her students create art projects with the Boston Marathon as the theme because they have a unique perspective as Hopkinton residents.

Brummett, a Wisconsin native, knew early on that she was destined to become a teacher. She discovered the perfect opportunity as she was graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design. She received her undergraduate degree in photography and worked in imaging for five years before she returned for her graduate degree in imaging.

"I had actually been a student teacher at the high school first," she said. "When I graduated that spring, they decided to add another art class to the curriculum that was mostly digital art. I was sort of at the right place at the right time because it was my dream job and I was able to write my own curriculum."

While Brummet was a student teacher, Celia, her daughter was in first grade. Now her daughter's journey is coming full circle as she prepares to graduate from Hopkinton High School.

"It's a special year for me to be running because my daughter is graduating," Brummett explained. "We've kind of been side by side the whole time."

She noted that her daughter intends to pursue a career in math, but music has played an influence in that as well.

"Some people have asked me what the difference is between the Hopkinton Music Association and the school music program," Brummett continued. "The Hopkinton Music Association is a volunteer parent organization. This group of parents essentially provides additional resources, services, goods and anything that the district cannot fund on its own."

For example, it provides the concert attire, money for private music lessons, and scholarships for graduating seniors.

"The kids get so excited when I go to one of their concerts or plays," she added. "The kids need to know that they matter, and it's a nice way to connect with them."

To support Brummett with a donation, go to this link.