It is almost here...the past year on my journey...

Representing Ghana, where one
of my students is from

The time has come... The Mrs. North Carolina Pageant is only 5 days away.  All of the hard work and dedication comes down to one weekend, or does it?  I am not doing this pageant to prove that I am beautiful, or can get on stage and impress a crowd.  I am doing this for the children, the ones who may not have a voice.  Over the last four years of my teaching, including raising my own daughter, and several moves across the state, I have realized something, our children are suffering. We may not see it, or hear about it, but they are.  Opportunities are disappearing, health care and research for life- threatening diseases are being cut, and the education system in our state is barely hanging on. Being a teacher is not enough. Here is a glimpse of my journey, through pictures, of what I am doing to make a difference in my community and my home state of North Carolina.



Learning about Cultural Awareness

Lt. Girty coming to thank my students for the Red Cross Card Drive
we did for injured soldiers and those serving overseas.  We continue to chat with
Lt. Girty through the web, to uplift him, and the fellow soldiers stationed with him.

A very special Make a Wish Young Lady getting her wishes granted!
I was so happy to be a part of this!

Working with Kelly Pickler to make wishes come true!
So happy I had the opportunity to meet her!

Relay for Life team captain for Koontz Elementary for the 2nd year! Amazed at
the dedication of the students at Koontz for working to make a difference! Through
our class efforts we raised over $1,000 dollars in only 5 months!

My class on Tacky Day for Relay.  My little fellow Quincy (front row with glasses)
is such an inspiration.  Fully blind from a brain tumor at birth, but has so much
determination! I am truly blessed to be inspired each day by my students.

Horsing Around Day for Children with Disabilities. 
Prevent Child Abuse Rowan put this amazing event, and I loved working
with each of the children!

This is AJ, another one of my students in my class. This
was his first experience on a horse! I am so happy I was
there to see it.



What I love about being a volunteer and speaker with Hope Cancer Ministries is that they not only provide support
for those suffering from cancer, but also their families, caregivers, and those grieving.
Here I am meeting with two little fellows who have been helped through the
amazing work of Hope Cancer Ministries. 

                                                  

Guest Speaker for Hope Cancer Ministries Concert and youth event. 



My First Airport Greeting for Make a Wish.  This little fellow is
about to meet Mickey!



March of Dimes "March for Babies".  I am so thankful to have a healthy
daughter, even after being born 3 weeks early.  Being a volunteer for March of Dimes
has been a wonderful, and yet sometimes sad experience.  I know this
organization making a difference, and giving every baby a chance!

A very special moment with a very special boy.  Me and my tutoring

buddy Cameron.  I have worked with Cameron for a little over a year

and he is able to be in a regular education classroom! I am so proud of all
of his hard work!

My goal is not just to do all of these great things for these wonderful organizations, but to be a role model for my students and my daughter. I want to show them how they can make a difference, to make sure they know that although they are kids, they are noticed and have the power to do anything.  This is not a platform for me, this is my life.