Personal and Professional Information

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Education: Major – Special Education
San Diego State University

Bachelor of Science: Major – Child Development
San Diego State University

Associate in Arts: Secretarial Science

Grossmont Community College

CREDENTIALS:

Administrative Credential; Special Education Credential in Learning Handicapped; Elementary Multiple Subject Credential; Language Development Specialist Certificate; California Community College Credential; Child Development Programs Permit

BACKGROUND AND FAMILY

Our family moved to California from the Gulf Coast of Alabama when I was 9 and I immediately fell in love with San Diego. It is a beautiful area with easy access to the Pacific Ocean, Anza-Borrego Desert, Cuyamaca Mountains and all the space in between. I love the mild weather coupled with the many special events such as the Carlsbad Flower Fields, garden walks in the spring, the Summer Pops Concert Series, apple pie in Julian, Organ Concerts and December Nights at Balboa Park and visits to the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Scripps Aquarium and LegoLand. I never want to live anywhere else.

As the oldest of 4 children, it seems as though I was always in charge of the little ones – it just seemed to come naturally. It’s not surprising, then, that I became a teacher – but not before I married my husband, Walter, and had two children of my own. Our daughter, Renetta, lives in Seattle, Washington and works for the Puget Sound Blood Bank. Our son, Colin, and his family live in Sacramento, California, where he works as a strategic planner for the California Technology Organization. Since the birth of our grandson, Ryan, in 2000, there are frequent trips to and from Sacramento so Walt and I can share in his growth and development.

WORK

I worked with children and families for 30 years as an educator before retiring from full-time work in 2003. Over the span of my career I taught preschool, elementary primary grades, and special education classes. For the last 10 years before retirement, I was an administrator in the Cajon Valley Union School District, mostly as a Special Education Coordinator in charge of all preschool programs in the district including general education and special education classes.

At the same time I was teaching children, I also taught classes at several community colleges and the University of California, San Diego Extension. Most of my teaching was in the child development division – a total of seven different classes over the years. I created the class, CD 141, Young Children with Special Needs at Grossmont College, where it is now a requirement for the major. It was my joy to have former adult students work with me as staff members at Sevick School, the Early Childhood School for the Cajon Valley District.

Now, I can concentrate my professional energy on teaching classes at Cuyamaca College. This allows me to share my knowledge and experience while encouraging me to remain current in my chosen field – early childhood education.

INTERESTS

I enjoy many things – gardening, reading, traveling, entertaining, walking on the beach, attending seminars, as well as plays and concerts. I keep healthy by exercising regularly with a routine of Jazzercise, working out with weights, yoga and walking with our dog Buddy. Recently Buddy passed the exam to become a registered therapy dog; he and I  we are excited and look forward to sharing his loving nature with others. I have kept a journal for over 15 years and love finding cartoons, quotations or jokes to include as prompts for my writings. I think of the discussion boards for online classes as a type of journal and read the submissions with great interest.

As a retiree, I have time and energy for volunteering - typically 12-15 hours per month. In the last few years I have become a docent at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College as well as a Master Gardener. These two commitments keep me very busy and provide social interactions with others who enjoy digging in the dirt.

My favorite pastime, however, is spending time with my family. I am fortunate that my Mom and two brothers still live here in beautiful San Diego and we get together often to celebrate special days or just be with one another. Even though our family is separated by distance, we are still a part of each others’ lives.