Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I attended Lenoir Rhyne University and attained my BA in Health and Physical Education. When my oldest child was is in school, I decided to attend Queens College and complete my Media Specialist degree. During this time, I was also attending Gaston College part time earning my LPN in Nursing. When my oldest child graduated from high school, I finished Gaston College with my Registered Nursing degree.

I taught for 33 wonderful years for Lincoln County Schools. I began my career as a physical education teacher at West Lincoln High School. I also taught P.E. and Health at Central (now G.E. Massey), Crouse School and Love Memorial. Upon attaining my Media Specialist degree, I taught at Park Elementary, Oaklawn Elementary, and Aspen Street Elementary. I taught both P.E. and Media at Asbury Elementary. My final years of teaching were spent back where I began at West Lincoln High School as media specialist.  After retiring in 2000, I returned to do an interim at Love Memorial in third grade. I presently work at Alexandria Place-Rehab Center in Dallas, NC as a registered nurse. My time spent as an educator in Lincoln County was a blessed time filled with special memories of my fellow teachers, students, and parents.

Having served two terms on the Lincoln County Board of Education, it has been a great reward to serve the people of Lincoln County. I have witnessed our school system go through ups and downs. Through it all teachers, school building administrators, and the entire school board have stayed focused on what is important in our county -- educating our children. I would dearly love to be re-elected again to the school board and continue to serve my community.

It has been my privilege to serve on the Lincoln County School Board for the past eight years. My experience as an educator for thirty three years led me down this path of service to the people of Lincoln County. My late grandfather, Forest Ross, a widower who raised seven children, instilled in his family values of faith and integrity. These beliefs continue to grow in each generation. I believe that through faith and integrity I can and will give back to my community by volunteering my time and resources.

It has always been my goal that we have equitable schools. As a voice for students, parents, and teachers, I understand the curriculum needs for each grade level. Acting as curriculum chairperson, I am privileged each year to listen to our outstanding schools present their school improvement plans; share their successes in student achievement in meeting growth and AYP targets; facility needs; and any other concerns they might have. It is my goal to be proactive in helping schools achieve high growth in EOG/EOC scores, meet AYP targets, and reduce the number of drop outs at the high school level.

I also have a desire to work closely with our county commissioners to ensure that student and facility needs of all Lincoln County students are being equitably met.