Tell us about your job.
I have been teaching Special Education at Liberty High School for 33 of the 35 years I've been teaching.
This year they have me teaching all levels (grades 9-12) of English all during the same block with every level of functioning from 2nd grade to 11th grade reading levels. I also teach reading during the same blocks I am teaching English to other students.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Teaching and reaching out to my students. I feel teaching special needs students was God's purpose for me. If I do all the paper work that is expected there's no time to do what I thought I was hired to do!! Consequently, I'm always very behind on the paper work. Go in early, stay late, and still bring work home. Still never caught up.
How did you become involved or why did you join the union?
I was very involved in another organization when I first started teaching. I was unhappy with the direction of this organization and, upon approaching the state leadership about this issue, found the same direction there. . At this time I was made aware of an alternative----American Federation of Teachers!!! I was introduced to the union by Bob Brown and Judy Hale. (Judy was not yet president.) What a welcome change from the "other organization"! Very professional, very concerned about all teachers and all students, very effective, and EXACTLY what I was looking for! I immediately changed tracks and have certainly never had a regret. The union is everything I want and need it to be.
Describe any roles have you had in the union...in your school, your local or in the state.
I am currently my building rep, Local # 6102 Harrison County Federation of Teachers president (where I served as secretary for many years), a member of the AFT-WV Executive Board, and have been serving as secretary of North Central WV Labor Council for many years.
Any other roles, committees, boards or activities within education?
I serve as a mentor for new teachers in Harrison County. I am a homebound teacher for both regular and special education students. I currently have one of each that I am servicing. For several years, I also serviced special needs students from Notre Dame as a homebound teacher.
In the past I was an assistant girl's basketball coach, volleyball coach, track coach, girls and boys tennis coach, and an advisor to Liberty's Bowling Club and EDU-Trek Club.
This year we were informed at our high school that every teacher had to have a club. I am introducing a new "club" to Liberty: The Young Democrats.
I also spent several years serving as a Gear-Up Mentor. As an extension of this position, I taught ACT prep at Fairmont State and have been invited to Salem International University yearly ever since for a basic ACT prep presentation to Upward Bound students.
Describe a rewarding experience that you have had through your involvement in the union.
I am serving on the AFT-WV Special Education Task Force Committee again and am still serving as a Sergeant of Arms for West Virginia AFL-CIO. I have served several years on the Harrison County Calendar Committee, the Extra-Curricular Committee, and the committee which determines a Harrison County school employee's need to receive donated sick days for an extended illness or injury.
Are you involved in any other community or civic groups?
I am a member of Bridgeport United Methodist Church, where I have taught both Sunday school and vacation Bible school in the past. I belong to the Democratic Women's Association.
What hobbies and interests do you enjoy in your leisure time?
I have always made time for gardening and reading and often (though not nearly as much as I would like) find time for baking, cake decorating, and candy-making. I desperately miss crafting of all types, sewing, drawing, studying feng shui and writing. I would love to write and illustrate children's books, write a novel, and a book of poetry.
What is your favorite book or quote?
My favorite quotes are simple and rules of life I try to live by.
Live, love, laugh, and be happy. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. All men (and women) are created equal. Be all you can be. Live life to the fullest. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Don't judge others---it's not OUR job; you need to walk in another's shoes to understand them. Try to find the good in people. I spend time every day fighting for other's rights, fighting for the underdog, or trying to right "wrongs".