How many years have you been in the school business profession?
Eighteen
How did you first learn about and then become involved in the school business profession?
I grew up in a family of educators, so I was always aware of school treasurers and what role they played. I always enjoyed accounting and business and I knew I wasn't cut out to teach. For me, this role seemed like the perfect blend of what I enjoyed doing and what I knew growing up.
What is your proudest career accomplishment?
Becoming the treasurer at the Brown County ESC is easily my proudest career accomplishment. This has always been my "destination district". I think everyone has a place they would like to land if the opportunity ever arose and for me, that place was the ESC in my home county. I worked outside the county by choice for many years and learned more than I could have ever imagined. I always wanted to be able to bring that knowledge home to benefit Brown County and now I'm getting the opportunity to do that every day.
What do you feel is the most important part of your job?
Educating the educators. We have fabulous educators that are experts in their field and provide amazing opportunities for our kiddos. I have found over the years that they often put their own financial needs to the side in pursuit of their careers. I enjoy helping to educate them about how the retirement systems work, how benefits play a role in overall compensation, how their pay is calculated, opportunities to plan for their financial futures, and the like. As they get to know me and my office staff, they become more comfortable asking questions and that's something I really enjoy. I want the treasurer's office to be a resource for them, not an adversary.
What is one thing you feel makes your district unique in the state?
We're small, but mighty. ESCs are unique in and of themselves, but being in a rural border county does present some isolation. Sometimes our only resource is each other. We focus on offering services to our districts that truly meet their needs and help them achieve the educational goals they have for students.
What is at the top of your professional bucket list?
Solving school funding. LOL
Jokes aside, I would like to participate in legislative advocacy if my knowledge makes sense for the topic at hand. I have so many colleagues that can speak more knowledgeably than I can on many topics and I'm thankful they use their platform to help educate legislators. If/when a legislative need arises where my help is warranted, I'd be honored to write and speak for public education.
What is something your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?
For a very brief period of time, I thought I wanted to be a speech-language pathologist. It only took one semester of The Physics of Sound with Dr. Jaeger at Miami to convince me otherwise. It turns out that I don't actually care how soundwaves move through the air. LOL
If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
A giraffe. I'm 4'11" as a human, so I think ya gotta go big or go home.
Favorite TV Show?
Friends
Favorite Movie?
Father of the Bride
Favorite Food?
My mom's mashed potatoes. Truly, a delicacy. ;)
What is one of your favorite expressions?
A rich man should leave his children enough money to do anything, but not enough to do nothing. - Warren Buffett
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. - Teddy Roosevelt
When someone finds out what you do, what's one of the first questions they always ask you?
Do you get summers off? (I wish.)
What has been the best, or your favorite part of being involved in OASBO?
Networking and meeting so many people from across the state. I have learned so much from my colleagues and I hope that never changes.