Meet the 2009-2011 International Chapter |
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Alpha Delta Kappa Members: Click here for International Chapter contact information.
Committed to 21st century relevance, it is my goal to make a difference in education for women educators and impact the quality of education for students. My interest in education is ignited by the interest of my husband Bobby, former School Superintendent and lifelong educator; our two children, Tim Miller and wife Nancee; and Jill Meyer and husband Steve; and five granddaughters at various levels of education. Having worked in education for many years as a teacher, Department Chair and District Technology Coordinator, I have observed the progression of elementary and secondary education. Through travel to many states, provinces and nations, it is evident that there are universal positives, as well as apprehension, in education. Members of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary women educators’ organization, share internationally their professional and personal ideas for making a difference in the world. Our focus is altruism, excellence in education and world understanding. It is an honor, as well as an awesome responsibility, to serve as the International President for this group of more than 41,000. For over 62 years, this organization has provided support, encouragement and innovative ideas to its membership and their colleagues. I sincerely believe that students, and educators, do not care how much we know until they know how much “we care.” I believe in education and know it will make a difference in making the world a better place.
Linda was born and bred in the “Garden State,” New Jersey! She attended the Toms River Regional School District, received her BA degree in elementary and special education from Clarion State (now University), Clarion, Pennsylvania, her MA in counseling and student personnel services from Jersey City State College, Jersey City, New Jersey and her certification in drug and alcohol abuse counseling from Jersey City State College. After teaching 32 years in the Toms River Regional School District, Linda retired in June 2001. She taught at various levels in the field of special education, including the educable and trainable mentally retarded, neurologically impaired, and, for her final 21 years, working with the emotionally disturbed. During her career, Linda served her school district in various capacities: staff development presentations, public relations, legislation, curriculum development (designing and writing the special education curriculum, serving on the school-wide NETWORKS program (dealing with substance abuse issues, self-esteem, team work) and being selected to be a FIT (Family Involvement Team) trainer. Linda has also taught at the college level at Georgian Court College, Lakewood, New Jersey. Linda was initiated into NJ Lambda Chapter in 1975. She has served her chapter at all committee and officer levels, NJ state as recording secretary, president-elect, vice president for membership and state president. Linda served as regional secretary (1993-1995), Northeast membership consultant (1995-1999), serving as IMC chairman (1997-1999) and Northeast Regional Conference chair (1997-1999). Linda served as the Two-Year International Executive Board Member (1999-2001), International Historian (2001-2003), International Vice President for Membership (2003-2005) and was chairman of the International Resolutions Committee (2005-2007). Community Involvement is extremely important to Linda. She has served on numerous boards, steering and planning committees. Linda presently serves on the Board of Directors for Family Planning of Ocean County, American Heart Association, Community Medical Center Auxiliary and volunteers her time to the Ocean County Girl Scouts, Ocean’s Harbor House (home for troubled and runaway teens), Providence House (shelter for abused women) and House of Hope (Interfaith agency). Linda serves her church as a deacon. Linda’s work in volunteerism has earned her local, state and national awards. Some of these awards include: Outstanding Young Woman of America, Who’s Who in America, Golden Angel Award from Association of Retarded Citizens, Cecilia Holland Gaines Award for outstanding Volunteerism, Joan Betts Humanitarian Award, Volunteer of the Year in NJ for American Heart Association and the Distinguished Member Award for NJ Alpha Delta Kappa. Linda has been married to her husband, John, for 34 years. John is the Water Quality Supervisor for the Brick Town Municipal Utilities Authority. Linda spends “the cold months” at their home in North Fort Myers making her a “partial Florida sister”! She loves sailing, shopping, traveling, reading and dark chocolate.
A native of Chelyan, West Virginia, Ann was transplanted to Nederland, Texas at age 6. She is a product of the Nederland Independent School District, hold a B.A. in Elementary Education and French from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and a M. Ed. in Elementary Education and Supervision from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce) in Commerce, Texas. May, 2006 marked the end of 37 years in the classroom. Ann has taught all subjects in 1st through 8th grade; as well as 9th grade English and a 10-year period of teaching the gifted. While she retired from the Sulphur Springs Independent School District, she also taught in the Dallas, Winnsboro and Yantis Independent School Districts. During her tenure at Yantis, she developed the elementary gifted program, coordinated U.I.L. academic events and contests and was selected Employee of the Year. She now teaches a Senior Adult Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Her "girls" really keep her on her toes. Ann was initiated into TX Beta Nu Chapter in 1975. This was a special time because it was the only time her mother (a charter member of TX Alpha Psi) was able to be with her at an Alpha Delta Kappa function. She has served TX as President of the Chapter Presidents’ Council, Recording Secretary, President-Elect and President (1990-1992). She has served as South Central Regional Chaplain (87-89) and Historian (91-93). She served as International Vice President South Central Region from 1993-1995 and International Sergeant-at-Arms from 1995-1997. She was a member of the International Resolutions Committee from 1997-2001, serving as Chairman from 1999-2001. She served on the International Executive Board from 2001-2005 and then as International President-Elect from 2005-2007. Ann’s family is very small. She was the only child of two only children. Both parents are now deceased. She shares her life with her two best friends, husband Steve and son Alan. The Hudson family increased by one in August, 2006 with the arrival of a miniature Dachshund named Heidi. She now rules the house! They live about 10 miles outside the city limits of Sulphur Springs in the country surrounded by many trees and a creek. Steve is President of Hudson-Richards, a national survey coordination business and Landmark Land Surveying Company. Steve is active in the Civil Air Patrol, serving as the Sulphur Springs Squadron Commander and Deputy Commander of Group 2 of the Texas Wing. Alan graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 2004 and is now 22 and living and working in Sulphur Springs. All of the Hudson family love to travel and are active in church activities and each other’s lives. Besides loving to be with her family (at home or on the road), Ann loves to read and cook. She collects cookbooks and Christmas ornaments. Oh, yes, a day would not be complete without a bit of CHOCOLATE!
I was born in Kansas, but I spent most of my growing up years in Iowa and Illinois. I attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA, and received a BA from U of Iowa in home economics, specializing in textiles and design. Shortly after graduation, I married John. We lived in Illinois twice, Idaho twice and have called Albuquerque, NM our home for 31 years. We currently share our home with a very active dog named Pepper. John and I have been married 44 years and have two married children. Ann, an Alpha Delta Kappa member, is a middle school administrator in Albuquerque. Mark is a veterinarian in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Our grandson, Keaton (2½) is a very special part of our lives. During my “stay at home Mom” years I was very involved in volunteer jobs in the local school systems. This led to educational assistant positions in Idaho and New Mexico. I returned to school at the Univ. of New Mexico and earned an MA in elementary education and 54 hours beyond that in curriculum and library science. For 20 years, I taught grades 3 & 4, and spent one year doing a 1,2,3 combination classroom research project for the university. In addition to classroom teaching, I spent seven years as a trainer for the Albuquerque Public Schools Staff Development Dept. I retired in 2000, but continued as an SD Trainer on a contract/consultant basis for three years. I was also a consultant and trainer for the YWCA for several years. I am currently a volunteer librarian, tutor and a tutor trainer for a city intergenerational tutoring program as well as a volunteer educator and tour guide at the Albuquerque Biological Park. I was initiated into NM Gamma Chapter in 1988, and have served in a variety of chapter, state, regional and International committees and offices including NM state president (1998-2000), International Membership Committee and SWR International Vice President (2003-2005). My hobbies include sewing and fiber arts and crafts, reading, nutrition and developing low fat recipes, aerobic walking, hiking in the mountains, and fishing in Canada at our island, which we homesteaded about 40 years ago. I enjoy taking a variety of continuing education classes and traveling with my husband. I also love dark chocolate!
A native Texan, Melinda was educated in the Brazosport Independent School District. She attended the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma and holds a B.S. in elementary education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with middle school science and social studies endorsements. Melinda taught 27 years for the Stilwell Independent School District in Stilwell, Oklahoma. While in Stilwell, she taught third grade, fifth grade and Gifted and Talented Learning Lab for grades 1-6. Her last 17 years in Stilwell were spent teaching science and social studies in the HALLMARK Program for grades 6-8. In July 2005, Melinda "retired" from Oklahoma and in August 2007, she will begin her third year of teaching at Prairie Grove Intermediate School in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Melinda is teaching third grade with a remarkable staff, who makes going to work a rewarding, exciting and enjoyable experience. She is a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Stilwell. Melinda was initiated into Oklahoma Nu Chapter in 1986. She has served as Oklahoma state recording secretary, president-elect, and president (1996-1998). She has served as South Central Regional historian (1999-2001) and International Vice President for the South Central Region (2001-2003). Melinda served on the Regional Scholarship Committee 2003-2005 and Regional Excellence in Education Committee 2005-2007. She served on the International Resolutions Committee from 2005-2007, as well. Melinda and her loving, supportive husband of 37 years, Louis, live on 80 acres about 10 miles outside of Stilwell. They have two beautiful daughters, Jeana and Celesta, and two adorable granddaughters, Ayron and Kaeli. Besides traveling with her husband, Melinda enjoys interior decorating, sewing and reading. Melinda collects angels, Santas, Christmas ornaments, and of course, SHOES. The McGees also have a booth in an antique mall, and enjoy going to auctions and "junkin" to fill their home and booth with treasures. Oh, yes, she loves CHOCOLATE and can’t imagine a day without it!
I was born in Portland, Maine, where I lived until I was two years old. At that point, my father returned from his assignment in Korea, and for the next eight years I lived at Ft. Dix, NJ with my dad, mother and two brothers. When I was graduated from Pemberton Township High School in 1969, I returned to Maine to attend Gorham State College, which later became the University of Southern Maine. I was graduated from USM in 1973, with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, and received my Master’s in educational administration from there in 1993. I began teaching at Hall School in Portland, ME in 1973, and was a second and third grade teacher there for 20 years. I became an elementary principal in 1993 and currently have the honor of being the principal of Lisbon Community School in Lisbon, Maine. I am the proud mother of two daughters, Christine and Kathleen. Christine lives in Seattle and works for US Bank and Kaity is a special education teacher working at an alternative high school. Besides being my daughter, Kaity is also an Alpha Delta Kappa sister. When I am not immersed in Alpha Delta Kappa projects, I enjoy traveling, gardening, quilting and reading. I have visited all 48 contiguous states, with plans to visit the last two. I have a dream of visiting all seven continents, three down and four to go. My membership in Alpha Delta Kappa began in 1986. I have served as recording secretary at the chapter, state and regional levels, chapter and state president, and state membership chairman. I was honored to be the 1998 recipient of the Living Memorial Scholarship, which allowed me to travel to Ireland to study storytelling. I was elected to the International Executive Board as a Two-Year Member for the 2001-2003 biennium, and International Vice President, Northeast Region for the 2005-2007 biennium, and currently serve on the International Executive Board as a four-year member.
Born in Montgomery and reared in nearby Wetumpka, June is a life-long resident of Alabama. She attended the public schools in Wetumpka, “The City of Natural Beauty,” and received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Auburn University (WAR EAGLE!). She received her Master of Science in Education from Troy University as well as earning additional hours in reading diagnosis and assessment from Auburn Montgomery. June retired in May 2008 after 30 years of teaching, 25 of which were spent at the Wetumpka Elementary School. Her experience included grades K-2, reading and math supplemental instruction, and the last 13 years of her career in a language arts computer lab. She was the Title I Building Coordinator and chaired the WES Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-NSSE) steering committee from 1998 until her retirement in 2008. She also served on the school district-wide accreditation committee as the WES SACS-NSSE liaison. June served on the school’s Building Leadership Team and led the WES faculty in school improvement planning and presented staff development in a variety of workshops such as the computer programs, Writing to Read, Stories and More, and Lexia, as well as presentations on the Incorporation of Children’s Literature in the Elementary Classroom and coordinating parent involvement workshops. She was honored to be chosen as the 1999 Elmore County Teacher of the Year. Initiated into the Alabama Alpha Iota Chapter in October 1978, June served her chapter as Membership Chairman, Recording Secretary (two terms), President-elect and President. At the state level, she served as AL Historian, President of the Council of Chapter Presidents, AL Alpha Delta Kappa Month Chairman, 1994-96 President-Elect, 1996-98 AL President, 1998-2000 AL Membership Chairman, receiving the Membership Service Award pin in 2000. She served as 1997-99 Gulf Regional Historian, 1999-2001 Gulf Regional Alpha Delta Kappa Month Chairman, AL Policies and Procedures Chairman, and has presented workshop sessions at every Gulf Regional Conference since 1990. June was honored to serve as the 2003-05 Two-Year International Executive Board Member, 2005-07 Gulf Region International Vice President, as a member of the 2005-07 International Membership Committee and as a member of the 2007-09 National Issues Committee. Volunteerism is an important part of June’s life. She is a member of the Three Seasons Arts League in Wetumpka, serving as 2000-2001 president, and is a member of the Elmore County Retired Teachers’ Association as well as a life member of AEA and NEA. In addition, she is very active at The First United Methodist Church of Wetumpka, serving on the Board of Trustees as secretary, Work Area on Worship Chairman, Wedding Director, Altar Guild Chairman and as a member of the Administrative Board, History Committee, Hand Bell Choir and Chancel Choir. She is a Life Member of the Auburn Alumni Association and many Saturdays in the fall will find her at her alma mater cheering on the Auburn Tigers. She has appeared in several editions of Who’s Who in American Education, Child Development Professionals, World Who’s Who of Women and the Cambridge Society of Who’s Who in Education. June has been married to Jerry, her high school sweetheart, since 1973. An attorney, Jerry is the Deputy Counsel for the Division of Risk Management in the Alabama Department of Finance. They have three lovely grown daughters, Leslie, Lynlee, and Lauren. All three daughters live and work in the Birmingham, AL area. There are no grandchildren yet, only “grand” animals. In her spare time, June loves reading, decorating, traveling and planning family gatherings as well as a daily dose of chocolate!
I am a foreign language specialist for the Westside Community Schools in Omaha, Nebraska. Retiring from full-time teaching after 38 years, I am currently teaching Spanish three mornings a week in the Underwood Hills Focus School. I have received awards for excellence in teaching on the local, state, and national levels. I enjoy traveling, reading “British cozy” mysteries, collecting hand-blown glass and crystal paperweights, walking, visiting with friends over a latte and eating good chocolate. I enjoy golf and am the proud owner of a hole in one. I am delighted to say that I am an Alpha Delta Kappa Silver Sister.
Florence Bishop, a life-long resident of Virginia, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and a Masters of Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Initiated into Virginia Zeta Chapter in 1980, Florence’s Alpha Delta Kappa service has included Virginia State offices of historian, chaplain, president-elect, and president; Southeast Region chaplain and scholarship chairman; International Vice-President of Southeast Region, International Chaplain, and currently International 4-year Executive Board member. She is an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Richmond where she presently serves as church archivist and office volunteer as well as serving on several committees. After teaching social studies in Henrico County for over 35 years, with her last assignment as Mills E. Godwin High School Social Studies Department chairman and teacher of advanced placement government, Florence retired from the classroom. She now supervises student teachers for Virginia Commonwealth University and works with the Henrico County Student Government Day each year. She enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and staying in contact with a close network of family and friends.
Sandy lives in Cheyenne, WY with her husband, Jim, who is retired from the National Weather Service. She teaches first grade at Arp Elementary. She and her husband have three grown children and six grandchildren. Their two daughters are also primary teachers. Sandy received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Nebraska. Sandy joined Alpha Delta Kappa in 1974 in Grand Island, NE as a member of NE Nu chapter, where she taught for 19 years. She then taught for 8 years in the Cherry Creek School District in the Denver area and was a member of CO Alpha Beta. After a wonderful send-off and wedding reception given by her CO sisters, Sandy married her high school sweetheart and moved to Cheyenne, where she has taught for 13 years. Again, Alpha Delta Kappa sisters welcomed her into WY Delta Chapter in Cheyenne. Sandy treasures her 35 years in Alpha Delta Kappa and the friendships developed over those years. Sandy has had the privilege of sisterhood in the Central, Southwest adn Northwest Regions. She served as Chapter President and in numerous other offices in all three regions before becoming WY State President in 2006. She was extremely honored to be elected a two-year member of the International Executive Board at the 2009 International Convention. Sandy enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loves traveling, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, and relaxing with a good novel.
Edwina lives in Alabaster, Alabama with her husband, Randy who is the Immediate Past International President of the Alpha Delta Kappa Association. She received her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Montevallo. Before retiring in July of 2006, Edwina had been on the faculty of Thompson Middle School in Alabaster since January of 1974. She served as president of the Shelby County Counselors Association and led several workshops at the local and state levels. Since her retirement, she has served as a scheduling consultant to new counselors in the school system and a volunteer at both the middle and elementary school levels. Students have dubbed her “the Purple Lady” because she is almost always dressed in some shade of purple. Alpha Delta Kappa became a part of Edwina’s life in October of 1984, as a member of Alabama Beta Lambda Chapter. She served numerous offices in both the chapter and state before becoming the Alabama state president for 2000-2002. For the 2001-2003 biennium, she served as the Gulf Region historian, 2003-2005 as Gulf Excellence in Education chair and member of the International Bylaws Committee, 2005-2007 as International Historian and 2007-2009 as International Sergeant-at-Arms. Edwina is actively involved in Westwood Baptist Church, where she serves as Church Clerk, Senior Adult Bible Study teacher, Preschool Bible School Director and Extended Care Teacher She is a member of the advisory boards for The Christian Women’s Job Corp and the Shelby County Safe House, a division of Shelby County Family Connection. Edwina enjoys reading; crafting; scrap booking; collecting “violet” items and clowning—just ask Violet! However, she finds her greatest pleasure in being “Nana” to grandchildren Timothy, Capley and Hudson, who live in Alabaster with their parents, Jody and Alesia Aaron.
Lynette resides in Muncie, Indiana, with her husband, Mark, and daughter, Emily, a student at the University of Dayton. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees at Ball State University. Over the course of 17 years she taught a variety of grade levels from kindergarten to fifth grade in New Castle, Indiana. She served as principal of St. Lawrence Catholic School for 2 years, and she currently teaches courses in the Elementary Education department at her alma mater, Ball State University. In April of 1985, Lynette was invited to join the Indiana Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa. As an Alpha Phi sister, she served in several officer and committee chairman positions at the chapter level. In November 2005, the sisters of the Beta Epsilon Chapter in Muncie, Indiana, welcomed her into their chapter. Beginning in 1998, Lynette served on the state level as Recording Secretary and chaired several state committees. She served as the Indiana State President from 2002-2004. She continues to stay active in her state and has served as the Webmaster for Indiana since 2006. Lynette’s leadership experiences in the North Central Region include performing the duties of the North Central Region Secretary and editor of the NCR Conference Times. From 2005-2007 she was the North Central Region Membership Consultant for the International Membership Committee. Lynette enjoys relaxing with a good book, hanging out her with friends, and traveling. She loves a challenge and learns something new every day.
Judy lived in Berlin and Southington, Connecticut before moving to Rocky Hill four years ago. She received the following degrees from Central Connecticut State University: her Bachelor of Elementary Education, her Master of Science in Education and her Sixth Year in Administration. After teaching third and fourth grades and serving as an assistant principal in Berlin, Judy retired in 1999. During those thirty-three years she served on various curriculum committees as well as being the President of the Berlin Education Association. Judy became a member of Eta Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa in 1982. She has served this local chapter as secretary, treasurer and president. On the state level, Judy has been the CT state treasurer, state president, membership chair and Candidate Qualifications Chair. Judy has recently “retired” from a chocolate shop in Connecticut as the venue and corporate accounts employee. Judy gives back to her homeowner’s association as their President. In addition she is in her second term, as the President of the Woman’s Club of New Britain CT. In between these activities she loves spending time with her two nephews and two nieces- one of who has a fifteen-month-old daughter. Judy loves babysitting with her as they read, pick flowers, read, eat ice cream, read and enjoy their time together!!
Beverly Quiring is a native Oregonian who grew-up in southern Oregon where her family was in the logging and ranching businesses. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1968 from Southern Oregon College (now U); and completed her master’s degree in education in 1988 at Western Oregon University. All of Beverly’s 36 years in education were in Oregon, except for two years in Del Rio, Texas. Most of those years were spent teaching grades six through eight, with the majority of time in English, social studies, and grade six block. During her last nine years in education, she helped open a new middle school, and served as department team leader and School Improvement Site Council chair. Since official retirement in 2004, Beverly has been a substitute teacher in the Salem-Keizer School District. Beverly and husband Larry own “Larry’s Portable Repair, Inc,” where Larry repairs commercial restaurant equipment and works in radio communications. They also enjoy holding “Grandpa Camp” for the grandchildren during summer breaks. Besides Alpha Delta Kappa activities, Bev enjoys reading, American history, traveling, helping at her church, and collecting antique ink bottles. Beverly’s Alpha Delta Kappa connection began in 1973 in Oregon’s Alpha Delta Chapter. Soon after initiation, she transferred to Epsilon, where she has served in most of the chapter offices, including president. Through the years, she has held several state offices and committee chairmanships; including serving as state president in 2002 – 2004. At the regional level, Bev has served as chaplain, and two biennia as the region’s membership consultant. For the 2009 – 2011 biennium, Beverly is the International Vice-President for the Northwest Region.
Sherryl and her husband Larry live in Topeka, Kansas and have two grown sons, Michael and Mark. Mark and his wife Jennifer have blessed them with two beautiful grandsons Trevor and Trent. Sherryl has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, as well as two master's degrees in psychology and counseling from Emporia State University. She is a retired educator of 35 years having taught emotionally disturbed children for 19 years and the remainder of her career was spent as an elementary guidance counselor. While teaching, she was very fortunate to have won many teaching honors including finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year and being named Kansas Master Teacher. She was also inducted into the Auburn-Washburn District Hall of Fame as well as the Washburn Rural Hall of Fame. Sherryl became a member of Kansas Epsilon chapter in 1979. She has held all of the offices except treasurer in her local chapter, as well as all the offices except treasurer, for her state and was the recipient of both the Kansas State Scholarship and the South Central Regional Scholarship. She was named the 2004 Kansas Woman of Distinction. A most memorable experience for Sherryl was sponsoring an ITE student from Indonesia, she learned so much about the culture and family values of her “American Daughter." She has truly enjoyed her opportunities of serving in leadership roles at the regional level, most recently having served as the Membership Consultant for South Central Region. Her dream of being an International Vice-President became a reality when she was elected to the office in Greensboro, North Carolina. Sherryl enjoys playing in the bell choir at church and is currently serving as a Board of Director for the Educational Credit Union and the Topeka Public Library where she does volunteer work. Larry, her husband of 44 years is a retired educator as well having been a math teacher, basketball coach and elementary principal. He was inducted into the Kansas Coaches Hall of Fame and enjoys his hobby of taxidermy.
Ruth Ann lives in Durham, North Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education from Meredith College. Ruth Ann’s entire teaching career (1978-2007) was spent at Carrington Middle School in Durham. During her career she served as lead teacher, department chair, textbook consultant, workshop presenter, program consultant and mentor to new teachers in the district and across the state. She received much recognition during her career including Teacher of the Year three times at her school and in 2003, became Nationally Board Certified. In March 1982, Ruth Ann became a member of North Carolina Alpha Mu Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa. After several years as a member she served as recording secretary, treasurer, vice president, president-elect and chapter president. From the chapter level to state, Ruth Ann went on to serve North Carolina as District Vice President, President of Council of Chapter Presidents, Vice President/Membership Consultant, President-Elect and State President (2006-09). She also worked closely on several state conventions, the 2006 regional conference and the 2009 international convention. In July 2009, she was elected to the International Chapter to serve as International Vice President, Southeast Region. She is currently employed part-time (2 days/week) as a community rep with DREESHOMES where she meets prospective clients at model homes. Ruth Ann enjoys her freedom as a retiree, getting together with friends, entertaining, helping her family, attending functions for niece & nephew, relaxing at home with her cat, Chloe, and traveling. Her mother, June, and brother, Rob & family (wife: Sandy and children: Will & Grayson) also live in Durham.
The first part of Pat's life was in Oklahoma where her heart still remains. Pat was born in El Reno,Oklahoma but soon moved to Kingfisher, Oklahoma where she attended Elementary, Junior High, and High School. Pat graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in Social Studies, from Central State, in Edmond (now University of Central Oklahoma). Pat also has a Master of Teaching Degree as a Reading Specialist with a minor in Special Education from the same school. After teaching three years in Oklahoma, husband Joe and Pat moved to Las Vegas where she spent an additional 30 years in the Clark County School System. Experiences encompassed classrooms of grades one through four, one summer reading class for Jr. High, and 23 years as a Reading Improvement Program Specialized. R.I.P. was a district written, pull out, small group, reading program, for students experiencing reading difficulty. It matched Pat perfectly. Pat spent the last five years working in the Title I program. First as a Reading Specialist for private schools in the district and then in the main office. Pat loved all that too. After a total of 33 years in education, she retired in 1999. Alpha Delta Kappa became family away from home when she was Initiated into Nevada Alpha in 1976. She began serving immediately. While serving as chapter president in l978, she missed her first meeting due to the birth of their second child. Pat has filled almost every chapter office and committee position. State responsibilities included Sergeant-at-Arms, Treasurer twice, President-Elect, State President (2002-2004), and Immediate Past President/Membership Chair. Pat has served the Region by being a Conference presenter, Co-Sergeant-at-Arms, and Chaplain. At the International level, she has served as a Page, a Sergeant-at-Arms, been on the 1985 Convention Steering Committee, 1985 Banquet and House Committee, Credentials Committee, Resolutions Committee, and 2009 Resolutions Committee Chair. In 2002, Pat was listed in Distinguished Women of Nevada and in 2004 Great Women of the 21st Century. Pat grew up in a very close family. Although immediate family only included Dad, Mom, and sister, there were eight double cousins in the same town. Dad used to joke that the three brothers had to date sisters from the same house because they could only afford one vehicle in which to date. His sense of humor lives on in all of those he touched in life. Memories are priceless. Pat and “best husband ever” Joe of 45 years, have two amazing, beautiful children. Daughter Jocelyn and husband Judd have two wonderful children, Jansen (5) and Joleigh (3). Jocelyn is also in Alpha Delta Kappa and has served as Alpha President. Son Jason and wife Nicole share cute daughter Allyson (19 mo.) with them and they love it. Joe spent 34 years in education as a classroom English/Speech teacher, counselor, Dean of students, school administrator, and Field Experiences Supervisor Department of Instructional and Curricular Studies for the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Currently he has perfected making trip plans. Family remains the light of Pat's life and she would love to learn more about family genealogy. Retirement has brought time for visiting family and friends across the United States. Pat loves to shop and expand collections of Fenton Ware, roosters, dolls, snowmen, Santa figures, clothes and of course SHOES along the way. She also enjoy sewing, beading, stitchery, Sudoku puzzles, and going to bed with a good book.
Linda was born in Bristol, Virginia, and lived with her family in Bristol, Tennessee until she was six. She then moved to Marion, North Carolina where she attended 12 years of public school education. Linda attended college in the Atlanta, Georgia area and has lived there ever since. She received a BA degree in Applied Music from Agnes Scott College, and both an MEd and an EdS degree from Georgia State University In the areas of Educational Curriculum and Educational Leadership and Administration. She was a teacher for 15 years in the DeKalb County School System (GA), working in elementary education grades 1-7, special education and music. She was an assistant principal for 4 years and an elementary school principal for 11 years. Linda retired in 1998. Linda became a member of Alpha Delta Kappa in 1977, affiliating with Georgia’s Beta Gamma chapter. She served her chapter in all offices and committees. She served the Atlanta District as Chairman and her state as Recording Secretary, Vice President for Scholarships, President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past President. She also served on the state advisory council as chairman of various committees. For the past five summers Linda has facilitated her state Executive Board summer retreats. In the 2005-2007 and 2007-2009 biennia Linda served on the International Membership Committee as Gulf Region’s Membership Consultant. In addition to Alpha Delta Kappa activities Linda stays busy with altruistic endeavors. She serves the American Red Cross at blood drives and uses her music talents to provide encouragement and hope in a local nursing home and an assisted living facility. She is a volunteer at her church where she plays piano for the Seniors’ Choir, sings in the Celebration Choir, and teaches a Ladies Bible Study. Linda dotes on her only niece Betsey and nephew Max, and of course, her brother Don and sister-in-law Mary.
Mary Ellen was born in Fayette county, Alabama and grew up there. She was named for her great-grandmother, Mary Ellen Patton. Most all of Mary Ellen’s ancestors and her husband, Ralph’s, ancestors have lived in Alabama since before or by early statehood. Mary Ellen and her husband still own and farm some homestead lands in Fayette county. Due to Ralph taking a job in administration in Cullman County, Mary Ellen and Ralph moved to Cullman county in 1974. Ralph coached and worked in administration and executive positions for 43 years. Ralph also served in the Alabama National Guard for 31 years. Mary Ellen taught school 30 years, with the last 25 being in the same school in Cullman county. Since retiring in 2000, Mary Ellen has assisted with the Exit Exam and other student assessments county-wide for the Cullman County School System. Mary Ellen received her bachelor of science degree from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa with a major in business education and a minor in physical education. Mary Ellen is certified to teach driver's education, in addition to several other subjects. She received a master’s degree from University of Alabama in Birmingham with a double certification for K-12 library media and she worked in library media the last 23 years she taught school. During those years she sponsored many extra-curricular activities including cheerleading and yearbook. Mary Ellen has served in many positions in her church and most recently served on the new building committee for three years. She is a Gideon Auxiliary member and has served in all offices of the local camp. She doesn’t hesitate to volunteer for a needy job. Mary Ellen joined Alpha Delta Kappa in 1987 and served in most offices and on most committees in her chapter. She was Alabama president of Chapter Presidents, district chairman-elect, district chairman, historian, president-elect, president and Gulf historian. Mary Ellen helped present work shops at several Gulf Regional Conferences. Mary Ellen and husband Ralph have two children. They are a daughter, Jayne Leigh Pinion LaCognata and a son, Gerad Ralph Pinion. Leigh and her husband, John, have two children, John Pinion LaCognata, age seven and Alexa Marie LaCognata, age five. Mary Ellen and Ralph’s son Gerad, a crane operator, is married to Karen, a high school counselor. Karen is also an Alpha Delta Kappa member. Gerad and Karen have one-and-a-half year old twins. The twins are a boy, Case Andrew, and a girl, Madeline Ray.
Born in Springfield, MA (because there were no heroic cab drivers in the area on that snowy March day), Charlene is a lifelong resident of Enfield, CT. She attended St. Joseph’s School for grades 1-8, and graduated from Enfield High School in 1970, thereby getting the best from the town’s parochial & public schools. A B.S. degree in elementary education (grades 1-8), was earned from Southern Connecticut State College in New Haven (go, Fighting Owls!) followed by an M.Ed. from Springfield (MA) College (go, Maroons!) and a sixth level from four universities (go, all!). Charlene is also a 1988 graduate of the U.S. Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama. Charlene’s teaching career has revolved around public schools in Enfield. She taught all subjects in grades 3, 5, & 6 before being transferred in 1976 to her true “career home,” John F. Kennedy Middle School. At JFK, Charlene has taught grade 7 world geography, grade 8 U.S. history, grade 9 economics and American Indian cultures, and grades 7 & 8 developmental reading. Currently, she is JFK’s computer technology teacher, and thoroughly loves teaching her 1,100 students each year. In addition, Charlene has enjoyed an exciting coaching career, leading JFK’s girls’ basketball and track teams, the track and cross country teams at Enfield High School, and Granby (CT) youth basketball teams over the past 32 years. She has conducted many staff and in-service workshops, has been an active building rep for the Enfield Teachers’ Association, and was Enfield’s 2000 Teacher of the Year, as well as a finalist for the 2000 Connecticut Teacher of the Year. Her current passions outside of Alpha Delta Kappa are the JFK Community Service Club and the school’s American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Team. Initiated into Connecticut Kappa Chapter in 1985, Charlene served CT as state sergeant-at-arms, historian and president-elect before becoming state president in 2000. She has served the Northeast Region as a member of the Scholarship Committee, as a presenter at the 2006 Regional Conference in Portland, ME, and as co-chairman of the 2004 Regional Conference in Farmington/Hartford, CT. Charlene has also served as a member of the International Credentials Committee and as its chairman in Orlando in 2005. Charlene shares her Enfield home with her mom, but the homestead is anything but quiet. Charlene has a younger brother and his wife, who live in Enfield, a niece and a nephew, a grandniece and a grandnephew, and is fortunate to have over 70 aunts, uncles and cousins who live within a two-hour drive. She also has her Alpha Delta Kappa family, which is near and dear to her heart. Charlene makes time for her other activities. She is a season ticket holder for the UConn women’s basketball team (go, Huskies!), and loves to read, to travel (yes, she does leave Enfield occasionally), to experiment in the kitchen, to spend quality time with friends, to do computer crafting, and to hunker down in her prized Adirondack chair with her iPod. She collects all things lighthouse, Disney and the U.S. Space Program, and plans to be a bus driver at DisneyWorld for at least one year after she retires (although the purple and teal uniform could be a little tough to wear).
A native of South Carolina, June came to Georgia right after she graduated from college to teach with the DeKalb School System in suburban Atlanta. Here she spent her entire teaching career. Her undergraduate degrees in Music Education came from North Greenville University and Carson-Newman College. She received a Masters in Music Education from the University of Georgia. To say that music has shaped her life is an understatement. It has given her experiences she would never have had. The added bonus of introducing it into the lives of young people is just the icing on the cake. For most of her teaching career, June taught elementary school music at Stone Mountain Elementary. She was Teacher of the Year twice and listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. June was initiated into membership in Alpha Delta Kappa in 1980. Her friend and mentor, Dr. Rose Mary Kolpatzki, invited her to a Gamma Chapter meeting and the rest (as “they” say) is history. June served as Chapter Historian, Treasurer, President Elect and President, as well as on various committees. She then stepped beyond the chapter and served as Atlanta District Chairman. After this experience, she was encouraged to offer for a position on the state level. Here she served Georgia Alpha Delta Kappa as Historian, Recording Secretary, President Elect (2002-2004) and President (2004-2006). In 1999 after 32 years of teaching, June retired and she and husband John moved from the Atlanta area to the foothills of Northeast Georgia where they built a home. June transferred her membership to Gamma Delta Chapter and found a new network of sisters who welcomed her. All through this journey of leadership, there have been sisters who have been exemplary examples of what sisterhood means. June’s family brings her a great deal of joy, especially her five grandchildren, Katherine, Andrew, John Ryan, Brooks and Brendan. She has a son, Brandon, married to Christy and a daughter, Lauren, married to Ryan McCann, who make her proud of the title, “Mom.” Her best friend and husband of 38 years is John, who is a retired school administrator and a big supporter of Alpha Delta Kappa. They are both active members of Toccoa First Baptist Church. Two furry friends of the feline persuasion, Chloe and Chelsea, keep them company. Besides Alpha Delta Kappa, June enjoys quilting, hiking, reading, and music of all kinds. Her favorite way of relaxing is playing the piano.
I have been a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, Illinois Alpha Theta Chapter, since 1989. During that time I have held several offices, including chapter president-2000-2002, state president-2006-2008 and am currently President of the International Council of Presidents-2009-2011 My husband Ron has been very supportive of me as I have traveled the country with Alpha Delta Kappa. He is currently retired from Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, IL. His position, before retirement, was a computer programmer. He has helped me out of many problems on my computer. We have been married for 16 years. Our families are blended. He has two daughters, Rhonda (John, and grand-twins, Jessica and Joshua), and Monica and one son, Bryan (Jennifer, and granddaughter, Madison) who live in Illinois. I have two sons, Mark (Karen, and grandchildren Callie and Natalie) who live in Illinois and Matthew (Maureen, and granddaughter, Morgan) in Orlando, Florida. The youngest has a birthday in February-guess you know where to find me in the dead of an Illinois winter. I began my teaching career as a social studies, government and history teacher in Stillman Valley, Illinois. I then moved to Galena, Illinois for two years teaching special education. I finished my educational career in Pekin, Illinois working as a special education teacher and coordinator of special education services. My hobbies including taking care of my grandchildren-anytime, cruising-anywhere, travel-anywhere, gardening –although I am an amateur, and reading-which I can do fairly well thanks to a TEACHER! I want to encourage each member of Alpha Delta Kappa to "Excellence in Education." Each of you can be a leader and "reach for the stars."
Jan is a native Missourian and a graduate of the University of Missouri where she received dual bachelor of science degrees in journalism and interior design. She is a former home furnishings editor for Better Homes and Gardens magazine and has taught interior design classes for the adult education department of the Des Moines Public School System. Jan has over 25 years of association management experience, working with Camp Fire International, Mid-West Health Congress and Alpha Delta Kappa. She free-lanced the KAPPAN prior to joining the staff on a full-time basis in 1989. In 1996, the International Executive Board appointed her Executive Administrator. She is a certified association executive, having received her certification from the American Society of Association Executives in 1991. Only about 3,000 of the over 25,000 U.S. association executives have earned this professional designation. She and her husband, Barry, an attorney, have one daughter, Libby, who is a journalist in New York City. They have one four-legged son, Dilbert, a proud Scottish terrier. Jan’s hobbies include knitting, reading, cooking, entertaining, traveling and gardening. |
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