Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. I graduated with a BS degree in education from the University of Alabama. While my husband attended NC State, I taught in Wake County for 2 years. I taught school for a year in Atlanta. When my husband was transferred to Indianapolis, Indiana, and Denver, Colorado, I stayed home with our children and participated in volunteer work.

In 1979 we returned to NC. I began substitute teaching and was employed by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools in 1984 to teach at Ashley Middle School. I became the first Curriculum Coordinator at Ashley in 1987. During this time I earned an MA degree in Middle School education from Appalachian State University. In 1990, I was selected to be a Middle School Instructional Generalist for the WS/FC Schools, working with teachers in all the middle schools. I earned an administrative license during this time. I served as an adjunct instructor for ASU, 1992-1994.

I was selected to be assistant principal at Whitaker Elementary School in 1995 and attended the Assistant Principals' Executive Program at Chapel Hill. I was selected to be the principal of Cash Elementary School in July, 1997. We worked to implement a theme to be featured as part of the CHOICE school plan. I attended the Leadership Program for New Principals at Chapel Hill. In 2000, I transferred to Brunson Elementary School as principal. At Brunson we worked to bring in the latest technology and implemented the Positive Behavior Support program. I retired from Brunson in July, 2007.

Since retirement I have worked in volunteer activities. I am a Guardian ad litem for children in the court system in Forsyth County. I serve on the Forsyth Education Partnership Board and the Advisory Board for the Stratford Road Branch of the State Employees Credit Union.

I believe my years of work in public education in a variety of positions provided me with opportunities to see how schools and the school system function. I have worked directly with students, with employees (teachers, custodians, bus drivers, administrators, school board members, etc.), with parents, and with community members. All these groups have interest in, and impact on, the public schools in Forsyth County.

I believe my experience helps me communicate with employees, parents and other community members to focus on these goals: reduce discrepancy between white and minority test scores; increase high school graduation rates; and provide high quality education for all students in Forsyth County. I want to help increase parental involvement by working in collaboration with administrators and each school's community members. I want the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System to be outstanding in helping all students learn and be successful.

I will be in each school to learn about the successes and concerns and will work to acknowledge the accomplishments and address needs. Because I am retired, I have time to be in all the schools, attend committee and school board meetings, and work with school communities to make every school in Forsyth County the very best.

I want to be on the school board because I want to help the school system that helped me grow in my profession. I want to help provide opportunities for growth and learning for community members and by doing so help the entire community of Forsyth County.