Prior to my retirement in June 2018, I spent 47 years in education. My 47 years included fourteen years of classroom teaching (chemistry, physics, physical science, algebra, geometry and general mathematics), several years as a middle school assistant principal and as a middle school principal, and the last twenty plus years at the central office level as an Executive Director and as Deputy Superintendent (second-in-command). I have also served as an adjunct professor for the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

I effectively empower people to build consensus. I have served on numerous boards throughout my career and have also spoken to youth in schools and churches to motivate and inspire them to be the best they can be. One of the highlights of my speaking engagements occurred when I spoke to youth and church members about possibilities and used my favorite bible verse as my theme: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Philippiansb 4:13. this verse has special significance to me because I grew up in the South in the 1950s and 1960s and being black and poor, I was not expected to succeed. My parents, church family and community members believed in me and motivated me to believe that nothing is impossible if one would dream big, work hard and never give up. Getting my doctorate and becoming second-in-command in two school districts in Colorado Springs (Academy School District 20 and Colorado Springs School District 11) are major accomplishments for me as a child coming from a family with few educational opportunities to succeed.

In retirement, I continue to speak to youth and adults and I serve as a mentor to others. I wake up every day committed to make a difference in someone’s life. I motivate and inspire others to believe in themselves and to work hard to accomplish their goals. My mission statement that I wrote in 1994 as I was becoming a Covey Trainer sums up my why:
My mission:
To spread goodness along life’s way,
To remember to say, “Thank you,” I love you,” “I’m sorry,” every day.
To understand others – even when they may not understand me.
To forget the “me” in a team and remember the “we.”
To value loyalty, honesty, integrity, and trust
Putting these above all and remembering what is just.
To live my the Golden Rule:
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Remembering others first in whatever I do.
To take care of my mental, physical, and emotional health.
Knowing that tending to them all will bring to me enormous wealth.
To live each day as if it were my last.
To maintain a positive outlook no matter how difficult the past.
To help young people grow and learn.
Knowing as I grow old, they’ll give back much more in return.
A legacy of service, of caring, of commitment.
This is my mission – I’ll then die Content.