Singing takes her to ‘a place of tranquility’
“My dream? Have you heard of the gospel singer named Mahalia Jackson? Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be just like her. I came up singing in the church, and my mom used to listen to her...
She had ‘special connection’ with dyslexic kids
“Children with dyslexia are intelligent. Their brains just process differently, so they need a different strategy to learn. “A lot of people think it’s just that they see letters upside down. There’s much more to it. Some parents don’t understand and...
Former teacher gets that déjà vu feeling
“As a former teacher, when the back-to-school ads start and I see those supplies in the stores, I get that déjà vu feeling. And when it’s time for the school districts’ convocations, I find myself wishing I were there. “When I...
Blessing bags her way of helping those in need
“I have what I call blessing bags that we carry in our car. I pass them out to people on the street. I’ve probably handed out a few hundred. Sometimes I give McDonald’s cards or a little money. “There are so...
Foster care kids have advocate in their corner
“I thought I would retire and get a part-time job to earn some extra money. Instead, I volunteer with CASA. I’m a court-appointed special advocate for kids who are in foster care. “I work with one family that has four kids...
This family tree’s branches extend quite far
“Years ago, my son got involved in a relationship with a girl who already had a 15-month-old son. We got attached to this boy, and we could just never let him go. He’s 21 now, and he’s been like our son...
If you want to write well, you should read more
“The best writers that I’ve had in my classes are those who read a lot. Voraciously. I can always tell somebody who does not pick up a book and probably hasn’t in years. They are the weakest writers. They have trouble...
Personal drive can lead students to success
“I do worry about the future because I think people today tend to be a lot lazier than past generations, probably because so many things have come so easily to them. The only solution is an individual solution. “I see those...
Missionary work eye-opening for children
“Our church does missionary work in Brazil. My first trip was in 2006. This will be the fifth time I’ve gone. “The communities we help live in grass huts along a river. They have no electricity. Most of the children run...
‘I always thought that I would go before her’
“I met her in a bar at the Holiday Inn back in ’73. I was sitting there, and she was on a barstool. I said, ‘I’m going to walk over there and talk to her.’ That was it. If she were...
