School Board Chair
How long have you been serving on the Board?
8 years
What motivated you to run for the Board of Education? What motivates you to serve today?
I had an interesting journey in becoming a Board of Education member. My first term on the Board was by appointment instead of election. One of the members of the Board who had been elected became sick and unable to complete her term of service. When something like this happens, the remaining 4 Board members appoint someone to complete that term. To do this, an ad was posted by the Board stating they were accepting letters from people willing to complete the term of the member who had to step off the Board. I had been encouraged many times, since my retirement from the school system, to run for a seat on the Board of Education but had remained busy doing consulting work for the Department of Public Education and being the Executive Director of High Country United Way. I didn’t feel I had the time to serve on the Board until the time the Board posted the vacant position. The reason I wanted to serve on the Board was because of my lifelong commitment as an educator. I missed being involved with our school system and still wanted to contribute, in some way, to help our students, families, teachers, and school staff. As I recall, the Board had several people who were willing to serve. From that group, I was honored that they selected me! Since then, I’ve been re-elected to the Board twice. In conclusion, what motivates me to be on the Board today is the same thing that motivated me to be a teacher and principal, the desire to help young people and support those who also want to help them!
What is the most enjoyable part of working with your fellow Board members?
Our current Board is made up of a good group of people who have the common goal of doing what's best for our schools and community. I enjoy that we work together well, respect each other, can find consensus even when we have different opinions, are not politically motivated, and that we enjoy each other’s company.
Tell me about your career prior to your time on the Board and, if applicable, now.
My career started in 1969 in North Hampton County, NC. I taught social studies and PE to 8th graders. It may be of interest to know that this was during the first year of desegregation of that school system. My next teaching position was in Caldwell County teaching Social Studies and English to 7th graders. Following that, I returned to Watauga County and was fortunate enough to to be hired to teach 5th grade at Hardin Park Elementary in 1973. The remainder of my career was in Watauga County where I was also principal of Bethel and Parkway Elementary schools and retired as principal of Watauga High School in 2005. As I mentioned earlier, following retirement from the public school system, I had the privilege of serving as a consultant on special projects for the NC Department of Public Education from approximately late 2005 through 2012. These included helping establish Early College High Schools in Caldwell County, Haywood County, and Statesville. Plus, I was assigned to help improve the performance of underperforming high schools in Gaston and Forsyth counties. Additionally, I did private consulting with high schools in three other states. Following these exciting experiences, I took over the Executive Director position for High Country United Way from approximately 2013 through 2018. Since then, I have focused on serving on the Board of Education and compiling a manuscript for a book I hope to finish within the next year.