After graduating from Cary High School, I moved on to obtaining a degree in social studies education from High Point College in 1971 and began my teaching career at Cary High School. I immediately joined NCAE where I have served in various leadership capacities over the past 51 years. It was not long before I was tapped as an Association Representative and my political involvement began when Wake NCAE encouraged us to attend our precinct meeting. Before I knew it I was asked to serve as a Congressional Contact Team member for US Rep. David Price, and a Legislative Contact Team member. I chaired various committees for Wake NCAE including the PAC Committee and was elected Vice President. As an outgrowth of my involvement in politics, I was encouraged to run for the State Senate In 1992. We were successful in the campaign due to the support of educators in our campaign winning by about 600 votes. Legislation I passed included making wading pools safe for children and requiring an expiration date on all prescriptions. Due to my 100% voting record for public education, I received the NCAE A+ Legislator Award. After retiring from teaching, I was hired as a UniServ for Wake NCAE. The next year I moved to the NCAE Government Relations Office as a Legislative Specialist, lobbying in the General Assembly. I also recruited the Legislative Contact Team members and managed all the NCAE endorsements statewide. In 2014, I was recruited to run for Wake RSP President and served two terms. Next I ran for NCRSP Vice President in 2018 and served two terms. Not willing to sit back, I continued my service on the State Legislative Committee working to expand our lobbying efforts. Earlier this year, I worked with an ad hoc group to develop a statewide PAC fund-raising effort which raised $21,035.95! In addition, I diligently worked to improve the Panorama as a member of the communication committee Governor Cooper appointed me as the retired member on the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement Board of Trustees where I learned about our retirement and shared it with our NCRSP members. In 2019, Governor Cooper honored me with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The leadership opportunities provided by NEA, NCAE and NCRSP, have given me the skills to serve as your president. When I first joined I had no idea I was making a lifetime commitment to the Association and its members, but it continues to be a noble and rewarding cause. 

I am a graduate of Bennett College and North Carolina A&T State University where I received a MS in Instructional Media and Technology. I am also a certified K-12 Library Media Specialist and have a BA in History and Language Arts as well. I am a former Curriculum Facilitator, Technology Facilitator, Library Media Specialist, adjunct college professor and classroom teacher. I am one of the co- authors of the Library Media National Board Certification initiative, and I was appointed by the Governor of North Carolina to serve on the national board. I worked with twelve other librarians throughout the United States to establish the first guidelines and processes for the now popular licensure for which media specialists aspire throughout the country. I am a former President of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel of Greensboro-Guilford and most recently held the position of Co-Regional Director for Region 4 that consists of nine locals. I was recognized as the state Volunteer of the Year for my region! My passion for the NCRSP includes my former role as state Membership Chair, where my committee and I encouraged the leaders in enhancing the membership of the organization. I bring much leadership experience to the NCRSP as a former local NCAE president and member of the state NCAE Board of Directors for six years and as president of the state Student Services Division. I am the newly elected Vice-President of NCRSP (North Carolina Retired School Personnel). It is my desire to help provide the great opportunities that the NCRSP members deserve. One of my greatest and most memorable honors was being awarded the Outstanding Presidential Award presented by NCRSP Greensboro-Guilford. “Caring is a gift, the more we give the more we receive”

I have been a member of Cumberland County Retired School Personnel since 2014. On the local level I have served on the following committees: Quality of Life, Membership, and Community Service. I became the Secretary of Region 6A Executive Board in 2018 and served in the capacity for two terms. As Region 6A secretary, I applied organizational and program development skills to develop tools to help the unit work more efficiently. I also provided technological instruction on Phonevite, Zoom, Teleconferencing, and creating computer information folders to help in time management and personal organization. I continue to participate on several committees of Region 6A Executive Board: Communications. Technology and Policies and Procedures. After a 30-year career as an educator, I retired from the Cumberland County School System in 2012. During my career, I served school systems in 3 states and two countries (United States and Germany). As a teacher and administrator, I served on every level- elementary, middle school, high school, and college. Due to my commitment and work ethics, I received numerous awards and special assignments including County Staff Developer, School and Community Liaison. Teacher of the Year, Assistant Principal, Military Day Care Center Director, County Strategic Planning Committee. Additionally, I spent 10 years as a successful Marketing Representative for IBM (International Business Machines).

I consider it an honor and a pleasure to serve NCRSP in a leadership role. Since declaring education as my major and completing my student teaching in 1974 at the University of South Carolina, I have been a member of NEA in some capacity. In those days one wasn’t considered a true professional if you weren’t a member of your state’s professional organization. Currently, I am an active member of Charlotte Mecklenburg Retired School Personnel as co-vice president. I served as membership chair for the local when I first retired in 2016. That same year I was asked to complete a vacancy that existed as NCRSP Secretary and was elected to complete two more terms. While membership chair in Charlotte, I co-chaired a group of 37 Region 2 and 3 members who traveled to Raleigh by train to Lobby Legislators. That year was the last time that NORTH CAROLINA Retirees have received a COLA. As a support for new leadership, I planned and orchestrated a drive to order Red 4-ED shirts and apparel for NCRSP delegates and members to buy at the lowest possible price. We can wear Red 4ED apparel around the state as we lobby for better working conditions. In 2017 I was elected Region 3 Co Director and appointed Region 3 Membership Chair. In 2020 and again 2022, I ran unopposed for Treasurer for NCRSP.