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.

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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. 

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.

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.

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 2^nd.  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.

Ramona Cash and Noela Woodall received awards from the Johnston County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the NC Community Foundation.

Noela Woodall received the 2006 Frances Finch Hobart Award for Voluntary Community Service.

Webmaster - Karen Creech

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