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What's Ahead for Ann
Heather Bryant
We have so many members doing great
things but Heather Bryant at Clayton High has decided to make a
BIG impact for the students at her school! Here is her idea:
If you haven't heard, free breakfast
and lunch are not a thing anymore as it was for the past two
years. Yes parents can fill out forms but anyone want to place a
bet of how many high schoolers give those to their parents? Nah,
me neither. I'm shocked when I hear my students haven't had
anything to eat all day. Most of my kids come to school with
nothing. They've worked long hours at part time jobs, helped their
siblings get ready or just had life interfere.
My passion project is to provide
something like "Backback Buddies" but for teenagers. We can help -
below is a link!
Link to Her Amazon Wish List |
Alpha Beta Chapter President Mary Daughtry and DKG NC President
Beth Winstead
DKG Purpose IV: To initiate,
endorse and support desirable legislation or other suitable
endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators This
critical Purpose is often overlooked because, as a Society, we do
not engage in lobbying, but we encourage members to speak
individually. I often think that because it is too easy to say,
“someone else is better at that,” or “they will look after the
children and the educators,” many members dismiss their
responsibility for this Purpose. As individuals, many of us feel
inadequate or untrained in speaking with lawmakers, so we just stay
in the background. Are the policymakers for your school or
educational system making decisions you really support? Would you be
an advocate for the laws being introduced at the state and national
level that affect the interest of education and women educators? If
not, it’s time to speak up and get involved. Contact those who
represent you, find out how they stand on these topics, and
volunteer for those you support. This doesn’t mean you have to knock
on doors or star in their commercials, but there are currently many
issues involving education and educators that demand our attention.
Our Founders did not wait for someone else to do it, and we should
not either.
Beth Winstead NC DKG President
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Members Recognition
Heather Pennica
Congratulations to
Heather Pennica, our incoming second vice president who was recently
named the Executive Director of Media and Technology for Wilson
County Schools. Heather has always been a change maker and her time
in Wilson has given her the opportunity to make a lot of change for
the better. In the year she has been in Wilson as Director of Media
she has already transformed all their 24 media centers into modern
learning spaces as well as helped their media team become Future
Ready Librarians. We can't wait to see what she will do in her new
role. Your sisters in DKG are so proud of you! |
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Literacy Grants
Awarded
After the December meeting and the
literacy committee's request to fund additional grants 2 more
recipients were awarded $250 each to promote literacy in the
classroom. Pictured above are: Amy Stanley, co-chair of the DKG
literacy committee, Anna Smith, 3rd Grade Teacher at Princeton
Elementary, Jessi Gurley, assistant principal of Princeton
Elementary, Madison Casburn 3rd Grade Teachers at Princeton
Elementary, and Michelle Casey, DKG literacy representative. The
chapter approved to continue to award these grants annually. A new
grant cycle for 2021 to promote literacy is now open for anyone who
would like to apply. bit.ly/dkgliteracy. Please share with teachers
at your school. |
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Members Recognition
Darla Peedin
Darla Peedin was recently named the
Executive Director of Johnston County Ed Foundation. Darla retired
from JCPS after 30 years and has continued to sub and work since her
retirement. Since her recent appointment she has worked with the
foundation's board of directors to reestablish funding for
scholarships and grants
as well as build a new website for the
Foundation. Darla is an active member of our chapter and serves as
the
membership chair. We are proud of her work in this new role
with the foundation. Check out their website at:
jced.foundation |
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What's Ahead for Ann
How do you end your 30 year teaching career? You end it with a smile
and no regrets, of course! Ann Brown graduated from North Carolina
State University (NCSU) in 1991 as a member of the first class of
Teaching Fellows. As you probably know, the Teaching Fellows Program
recruits the best and brightest students in high school to go into
the teaching profession. What an honor it must have been for Ann to
be a part of a program that impacted public education in such a
positive and powerful way. So glad legislators brought this program
back. She went on to teach four years at EB Frink Middle School in
Lenoir County. The rest of her 30 years in education were spent in
the Johnston County Public School (JCPS) System at Smithfield
Middle, West Johnston High School, and Princeton High School.
Although she did not retire because of Covid 19, teaching during a
pandemic did make it easier to leave the profession. Ann shared that
hybrid teaching is without a doubt one of the most difficult things
she has done professionally. It is not for the weary, nor for this
over 50 educator! She says she has seen many, many changes in
education over 30 years, technology and its uses being one of the
biggest. She believes teaching is a gift and a calling; “it’s in my
blood.” She says she will always be a teacher.
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Like
Mother Like Daughter
I
have always heard the highest form of flattery is for someone to
copy you. Well, I think that Amy Stanley would be the first to
share that having her daughter, Anna, follow in her footsteps
and become a middle school teacher in her same district is one
of the highest forms of flattery for her.
Amy has been an educator in Johnston County Schools for 28 1/2
years. She has held several roles in the school system to
include in the classroom and at the district level. Today, Amy
is the Director of Digital Learning. One of the things Amy loves
to do and is really good at is working with new teachers. This
year she has had the opportunity to have her daughter
participant in her workshops.
Anna graduated from East Carolina University (ECU) and was able
to get a position as a language art teacher at Swift Creek
Middle School. I had the pleasure of talking with Anna about her
first year. What I took away from our conversation was how
important it is to support our beginning teachers. Anna shared
that she has enjoyed building relationships with her students,
but realized that it takes a lot of time and she was not sure
that she acquired that set of skills in her undergraduate
studies. Just like her Mother, Anna wants to instill the love of
reading in her students. Some of the things Anna loves about her
first year is the people she works with and especially the new
curriculum.
She has been given the opportunity to provide feedback to ECU
about her first year experience. She hopes this will help the
university better prepare the teachers in their program.
What I am so proud of is the emphasis DKG puts on beginning
teachers. Our chapter has a strong Beginning Teacher Committee.
Anna reminded my how difficult it is to start out. I don’t want
to forget that! |
Amy and Anna
Stanley |
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Excellence in Teaching
Congratulations to
Dr. Johna Lee Faulconer,
an associate professor in the College of Education Department of
Literacy Studies, English Education, and History Education. She
received the
Max Ray Joyner Award
for
Excellence in Teaching Distance Education.
She was selected for her commitment and enthusiasm in teaching
and mentoring off-campus student and demonstrated excellence in
the delivery of courses offered through distance education.
To received this award, she received recommendations, including
peer and student reviews, and provide representative samples of
course syllabi, tests and teaching materials.
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Pictured L to R:
College of Edu. Dean, Grant Hayes; Dr. Johna Faulconer; and Dr.
Kristin Gehsmann. |
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Innovative Teacher and Students
Congratulations
to one of our Alpha Beta Sisters,
Stacy Holloman,
Pine Level Elementary,
who was one of several recipients of a Johnston County Schools (JCS)
Grant for $16,000. The grants were awarded in December to use in
innovative practices in JCS classrooms and schools.The JCS
department of Academic Innovation funded the grants from within
their budget. The department awarded $500 grants to 32 students
and teachers who submitted proposals detailing why they needed
the funds to be innovative.
Another Alpha Beta Sister, Amy Stanley, JCS Director of Digital
Innovation, shared that the idea for the grants came from a
national conference she attended. The grants would be given to
students and teachers who had innovative ideas that could
improve their community or school. Once the teachers and
students were identified, the grant was presented to them to
bring their ideas to reality.
Amy also shared that this is the first year that JCS has offered
this type of grant to its students. Proposals from students
ranged from wanting money to buy drones to simulate how bees
pollinate flowers to new audio/visual equipment to improve a
school’s news broadcast.
Before receiving the grant money, students used their mentor’s
smart phone to record their broadcast. With the awarded funds
they plan to buy a camera, a microphone, and other materials to
enhance their newscast.
Innovative ideas behind the teacher’s grants ranged from
creating flexible learning environments in the classroom to
purchasing STEM supplies for students. Stacy plans to use the
grant funds to promote
collaboration,
communication, and high order thinking through games and morning
meetings. Way to go, Stacy!
Information courtesy of Johnston County Schools |
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Stacy Holloman and several
of her grant winning students. |
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DKG Members
Present Chromebooks to Partnership for Children
The Literacy Committee of the
Alpha Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma presented two Chrome books
to the Partnership for Childrens' newest center located in Benson.
Evelyn Aranda is the instructor/director for Tutoring 4 Success.
Pictured from
left to right are members of Alpha Beta Chapter, Noela
Woodall, Evelyn Aranda, Ann Parrish, chairperson, Yvette
Davis and Mary Ann Lee. Students are Marina Perez, Jonathan
Baruch, and Edwin Aparicio. |
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DKG Members
visit General Assembly to Discuss with Legislators - June 2016
Members of DKG visited with
legislators to discuss education concerns as well as the budget.
Photo includes (L to
R): Kennan Eaddy, Lynn Ragsdale, Senator
Brent Jackson , Linda
Little, Elaine Jenkins , and Cheryl Wright.
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Alpha Beta Chapter
Represented at Eta State Convention April 2015
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Alpha Beta Chapter of
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Officers, 2014-2016
Pictured (L to R): Mary Helen Sills - Recording & Corresponding
Secretary, Karen Parker- First Vice President, Lorine Davis -
President, Karen Creech - Second Vice President, Rebecca Kuszmaul -
Treasurer, and Mary Helen Wyatt- Parliamentarian.
Delta Kappa
Gamma, an international honor society that recognizes and
supports outstanding women in education, installed their new
Johnston County Alpha Beta Chapter officers for 2014-2016.
The installation occurred on April 29th at First Presbyterian
Church of Smithfield.
The mission of
Delta Kappa Gamma is to promote professional and personal growth
of women educators who exhibit excellence in education.
For more
information visit
www.deltakappagamma.org/NC-alphabeta.
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Eta State Leadership
Development Seminar
Pictured above are members from across
the state who attended the Eta State Leadership Development Seminar.
On June June 20-23,
2013 Eta State sponsored a Leadership Development Seminar at William
Peace University. seminar was entitled, "Leadership for All Ages and
Stages." The following three strands woven throughout the seminar;
leadership, technology and beginning teacher. Guest speakers
included, Dr. Kathie Harned, Xi (Tennessee) State President, Darcy
Grimes, North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Dr. Paula Hildebrand,
the recently retired Chief Health and Community Relations Officer
for the NC Department of Public Instruction.
Four Alpha Beta
Chapter members were able to attend the seminar, Karen Creech, Mary
Lorine Davis, Nell Ferguson, and Amy Stanley. A report from the
seminar will be shared at the September meeting.
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Pictured (L to R): Yvette
Davis, Ann Brown, Sonia Kiser
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Johnston County Beginning Teacher Institute
Terri Simmons, Chairman of
the Alpha Beta Chapter Beginning Teachers Committee and several
committee members participated in Beginning Teacher Institute being
held for Johnston County's 150 plus first year teachers. Terri
shared she and several committee members had a fabulous experience
meeting, greeting, and eating with these new teachers.
The institute was held on
August 14th at Selma Elementary. Alpha Beta provided lemonade and
chocolate chip cookies for the new teachers. The Alpha Beta brochure
and collection of teacher tips and stories were passed out to these
new teachers as they were welcomed to the profession!
A photograph was taken of
several new committee members as they prepared to serve our newest
group of educators in Johnston County Schools. |
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Pictured (L to
R): Mary Helen Wyatt- Parliamentarian, Jennifer Moore- Second Vice
President,, Lynn Ragsdale- President, Debra Avery- First Vice
President, Rebecca Kuszmaul- Treasurer, and Glenda Toler- Recording
& Corresponding Secretary.
Alpha Beta Chapter of
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Officers, 2012-2014
The Alpha Beta
Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional
society of women educators, recently elected officers for the next
biennium. The local chapter has a strong focus on improving
literacy resources for Johnston County Schools students, provides a
scholarship for local female graduates who are pursuing a teaching
degree and supports teachers who are beginning their careers in
education.
Posted on WTSB
Radio Website -
http://wtsbradio.com/
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Delta Kappa Gamma
Society New Chapter Leaders Training Session
A day long New Chapter
Leaders Training Session of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, which
promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and
excellence in education globally, was held on June 22, 2012 in
Goldsboro, NC. Five members of the Alpha Beta Chapter, which
represents Johnston County, attended the Eta State (North Carolina)
meeting.
Lynn Ragsdale, President;
Becky Kuszmaul, Treasurer; Jennifer Moore, Second Vice President;
Cathy Cox, Membership Chair; and Debra Avery, First Vice President
received tips on preparing for chapter meetings and setting long and
short-term goals for the next biennium.
Delta Kappa Gamma members
are committed to advancing the professional interest and position of
women in education and staying abreast of current economic, social,
political, and educational issues so that they may participate
effectively in a world society. They support annual scholarships for
students graduating from Johnston County Schools, encourage literacy
by purchasing books for children, and support beginning teachers
with mentorships and supplies.
For more information about
Delta Kappa Gamma, contact Alpha Beta Chapter president Lynn
Ragsdale at
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Alpha Beta Chapter Committee Planning Meeting
A
very important lesson I believe we have learned from President
Jennifer Swartz during her first year as President is the need for
each Alpha Beta committee to have documentation of the committee’s
purpose, goals and objectives. Equally important, each member of
the committee needs to know and understand the purpose of the
committee and help define the yearly goals and objectives.
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This year, one of Jennifer‘s goals is to have each committee
chairman plan a meeting with the committee members to develop a
notebook outlining the purpose of the committee and plans for
2011-12. If the membership of a committee changes, this notebook
will provide new members with valuable information.
Another one of Jennifer’s goals is to have committee members
mentored before taking on the responsibility of a committee chairman
so there is a smooth transition of information regarding roles and
responsibilities.
A group of
committee chairman meet in September to begin this process. This is
the beginning of a process that will help the organization become
even more efficient.
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Alpha Beta Chapter New
Members Induction Ceremony
The Alpha Beta Chapter inducted 3 new
members to our society, Amy Stanley, Carol Blakely, and Denise Byrd.
We conducted a ceremony to induct these new members.
All 3 members are outstanding
educators from Johnston County Schools. We are very fortunate to
have such outstanding educators as members of our society.
Carol
Jane Blakely of Pine Level, with a Masters
and National Board Certification, has twenty nine years experience
as a professional educator. She has taught at Selma Elementary as
both an EC teacher and a regular education teacher. She is
presently a third grade teacher in an inclusion classroom where she
has looped up with these students for two years. They were in first
grade when she started with them. She serves as both a mentor to
new teachers and a mentor to her large third grade team. Her
experience has been vital over the years to this largely Title One
school in Johnston County. Carol is involved in both the Johnston
County Beekeepers' Association and the First Methodist Church of
Pine Level. |
Denise Benson Byrd resides with her
husband and two children in the McGee's Crossroads Community. During
her more than twenty years as an educator, she has been an
elementary teacher and certified mentor at Cleveland Elementary, an
assistant principal at Meadow, and is currently, as of this year,
serving as principal of Selma Elementary. Denise received her
National Board Certification and Master of Elementary Education
before completing work toward an administration degree. Her resume would list many awards and
honors. She is an active church member and has been an avid
supporter of her husband, Donald Byrd, who recently ran for Register
of Deeds. Her son is presently at West Johnston High School
and an Eagle Scout. Her
daughter graduated in 2010 from West Johnston as the first student
to receive the Joyce W.Wade Scholarship and is now attending
Methodist University where she is pursuing a degree in nursing.
Amy
Hinson Stanley of Smithfield has helped to
organize all of the professional development for technology in
Johnston County Schools. She also conducts professional development
workshops across the county. With twenty years of experience
teaching language arts and math for grades 6-8, and computer skills
for grades K-5 as well as serving as the Elementary Lead Technology
Teacher, she has earned a Masters degree, mentor certification, AIG
certification K-12, and certification in computer skills. She is
currently serving on the Elementary Critical Issues Team and the
Reading Focus Team for the county. She is involved in her First
Christian Church and the Johnston County Girl Scouts, having served
as a leader for five years.
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Dr. June Atkinson,
NC State Superintendent Guest Speaker for Alpha Beta Chapter
State Superintendent June Atkinson,
spoke to members of the Alpha Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in
Benson on February 2nd. Dr. Atkinson, a member of
Delta Kappa Gamma, discussed concerns with the state budget and
education cuts.
Delta Kappa Gamma is an
international honorary society of women educators that promotes
professional and personal growth and excellence in education.
North Carolina has approximately 5,000 members; worldwide the
society is 100,000 strong.
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Pictured (L to R):
Sue Wood, Ramona Cash & Noela
Woodall
Noela Woodall received the 2006 Frances Finch Hobart Award
for Voluntary Community Service.
Pictured (L to R): Ramona Cash, Dale Herring
(President of Johnston County Community Foundation), Noela Woodall,
& Betsy Whittington (Treasurer of the Johnston County Community
Foundation.)
Ramona Cash and Noela Woodall received awards from the Johnston
County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the NC Community
Foundation.
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Last
Update -
09/23/2022
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