Sr. Lecturer of Physical Activity and Dance Katherine Pruitt, more fondly known by her students as Mrs. Kitty, has been teaching at Georgia Southern for the past 22 years. Teaching everything from swing, to line, to social dance, Mrs. Kitty has been dancing into her student’s hearts ever since she started as an instructor back when GSU’s enrollment was around 6,500.

What is your favorite part about teaching dance?

Pruitt: “All of it! I like to see the students as they get more confident with their dancing skills and start to enjoy it. I tell my students that I have the best job at Georgia Southern because I get to listen to music, dance all day long, provide them with a new activity.”

Where did you dance (how did you learn) before coming to GSU?

Pruitt: “I took jazz, baton and tap lessons from 3rd grade through high school. I took Social Dance in 7th and 8th grade. I was a majorette and cheerleader in high school. I took every dance class Georgia Southern had to offer when I was getting a BS in Recreation and took more dance classes as a graduate assistant getting a Masters in Health and Physical Education.”

Where is your favorite place to go dancing?

Pruitt: “Mostly I have danced at places in Savannah, Athens, and Myrtle Beach, SC. I spend a lot of time dancing in my kitchen when I am practicing for class. My kids and husband have spent a lot of time dancing with me in the kitchen over the years.”