What inspires me to seek a position on the Board of Education? ​

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'My Why' began about 50 years ago, when I was a student in elementary school. Our school had a scheduled visit from our district 'officer friendly', and since my dad was also a police officer in our city, I was really excited to meet 'officer friendly'. 

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​After the introductions were made, the officer asked for all students to stand and repeat after him..."I AM SOMEBODY!"  Again, he said, "I AM SOMEBODY!"  So, in relative unison, all of the elementary students were yelling, "I AM SOMEBODY' several times and what a sound it was!​

 

In that moment, what I felt as an elementary student was the power of positive words, the incredible power of affirmation and it continues to make a tremendous difference in my life. 

 

​Many years later while in nursing school, one of my fellow nursing classmates asked me why I wanted to be a nurse.  Without skipping a beat, I told her that I simply wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. I distinctly remembered the resonating words; I AM SOMEBODY and how affirmative words could make a difference in someone's life. I wanted to be able to make that same difference for others.

 

The impact nursing has made on my life and the lives of my patients over the years is immeasurable.  THEY INDEED ARE SOMEBODY.​

 

Over the years, my husband and I have been a part of numerous mission trips, both foreign and domestic in serving others.  Our desire to make a difference has continued throughout our lives and a little over 10 years ago, we adopted 5 teenagers: making our total of 11 children.  ​

 

Before becoming a small business owner, my past role as a doctoral prepared nurse leader has afforded me over 25 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, education, policy governance and stakeholder collaboration.   Additionally, my nurse leader role included fiduciary responsibility for over eight hospital nursing departments, encompassing multi-million-dollar budgets.  I have also served as chair and vice-chair of hospital committees and national practice guidance committees, as well as having served on the advisory committee for the Center for Disease Control.  

 

Proudly parenting eleven children and fostering numerous others over the years, our experience as parents has exemplified the importance for a collaborative multi-faceted approach to education and where communication and understanding is paramount.

 

Barrow County being our home, we have had two teenagers grace the halls of Winder-Barrow High School and three of our nine grandchildren reside in Barrow County, pre-K and kindergarten bound for this coming fall.  

I fully appreciate the benefit of a well-rounded education, especially when social and economic disadvantages can be pervasive within a child’s life and I count it a blessing to have worked alongside many great teachers, case workers, psychologists and behavioralists.   

 

I sincerely believe my collective experience will assist in contributing as a board member of the Barrow County School System Board of Education; making a difference in a child's life and ensuring THEY ARE SOMEBODY.