Meet the 2007-2009 International Chapter
 |
| Ann Hudson International President |
A native of Chelyan, West Virginia, Ann was transplanted to Nederland, Texas at age 6. She is a product of the Nederland Independent School District, hold a B.A. in Elementary Education and French from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and a M. Ed. in Elementary Education and Supervision from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce) in Commerce, Texas.
May, 2006 marked the end of 37 years in the classroom. Ann has taught all subjects in 1st through 8th grade; as well as 9th grade English and a 10-year period of teaching the gifted. While she retired from the Sulphur Springs Independent School District, she also taught in the Dallas, Winnsboro and Yantis Independent School Districts. During her tenure at Yantis, she developed the elementary gifted program, coordinated U.I.L. academic events and contests and was selected Employee of the Year. She now teaches a Senior Adult Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Her "girls" really keep her on her toes.
Ann was initiated into TX Beta Nu chapter in 1975. This was a special time because it was the only time her mother (a charter member of TX Alpha Psi) was able to be with her at a sorority function. She has served TX as President of the Chapter Presidents’ Council, Recording Secretary, President-Elect and President (1990-1992). She has served as South Central Regional Chaplain (87-89) and Historian (91-93). She served as International Vice President South Central Region from 1993-1995 and International Sergeant-at-Arms from 1995-1997. She was a member of the International Resolutions Committee from 1997-2001, serving as Chairman from 1999-2001. She served on the International Executive Board from 2001-2005 and then as International President-Elect from 2005-2007.
Ann’s family is very small. She was the only child of two only children. Both parents are now deceased. She shares her life with her two best friends, husband Steve and son Alan. The Hudson family increased by one in August, 2006 with the arrival of a miniature Dachshund named Heidi. She now rules the house! They live about 10 miles outside the city limits of Sulphur Springs in the country surrounded by many trees and a creek.
Steve is President of Hudson-Richards, a national survey coordination business and Landmark Land Surveying Company. Steve is active in the Civil Air Patrol, serving as the Sulphur Springs Squadron Commander and Deputy Commander of Group 2 of the Texas Wing. Alan graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 2004 and is now 22 and living and working in Sulphur Springs. All of the Hudson family love to travel and are active in church activities and each other’s lives.
Besides loving to be with her family (at home or on the road), Ann loves to read and cook. She collects cookbooks and Christmas ornaments. Oh, yes, a day would not be complete without a bit of CHOCOLATE!
 |
| Kathleen A. Learn International Executive Board Chairman |
Kathy spent her childhood in various cities in Minnesota and Iowa. She is the oldest of eight children. She finished high school in Bettendorf, Iowa. A 1969 graduate of Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, Kathy earned a B.A. in English and library science with a minor in education. She earned an M.A. in English education from Western Illinois University in 1976.
Kathy has been employed by Davenport Community Schools for 39 years (2007-2008). She was a middle and high school English teacher for 24 years, and is currently a curriculum specialist (14 years). She was chosen as English Department chair when a new high school opened in Davenport in 1985 and had the wonderful experience of opening a new building. Kathy loves her work and has no plans to retire. Working with administrators and teachers to ensure student achievement is highly motivating to her.
Kathy has served as an adjunct instructor at both Marycrest College and Western Illinois University. She occasionally works as a consultant in secondary reading—when her schedule allows. She is currently serving as president of the Iowa Staff Development Council (2006-2008) and served as secretary of the Iowa Council for the Social Studies for seven years. She is a trainer for Iowa Evaluator Approval Training, Dimensions of Learning, and Skills for Living/Adolescence.
Kathy has been married to Don, a traffic systems technician, since 1969. They have two grown children: Betty and D.J. Kathy and Don are raising their 16-year-old (2006) granddaughter, Katie, who keeps them young—and busy.
Kathy is a lector at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. Her hobbies/pastimes include reading (averaging about 80 books a year), cooking (when she has time and energy), writing poetry, watching Katie play softball, watching the Chicago Cubs, watching movies and traveling. She firmly believes chocolate is the most important food group and enjoys collecting bookmarks, motivational and inspirational quotes, and easy-to-fix recipes. She is convinced that a sense of humor is a requirement for living with a teenager and working in education. She says her glass is half full.
 |
| Jane Miller International President-Elect |
Jane lives with her husband, Bobby, on a farm near Benton, Kentucky. She received her bachelor of science degree in secondary education, her master’s degree and Rank I in administration from Murray State University. In June 2000, she retired after 36 years in education, having taught English and business, while chairing the Business Department in the Marshall County School System, and serving as district technology coordinator for nine years in the Graves County School System.
Jane became of member of Kentucky Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa in 1987, serving as charter president. She served as Kentucky state treasurer for four years (1992-1996), Kentucky president-elect (1996-1998), and Kentucky state president from 1998-2000. In July 2003, she was elected to the International Chapter to serve as International Vice President, Southeast Region. Then in July 2005, she was elected to serve as International Chaplain.
She is currently employed by Curves for Women and is involved in church and community activities. Recently, Jane was honored by Church Grove United Methodist Church as church pianist for 50 years. Bobby retired after 39 years in education, which included being the first principal at Marshall County High School and superintendent of schools in Graves County. They have two children, Tim Miller and Jill Meyer; the family includes Nancee Miller, Steve Meyer and five granddaughters, Haylee, Lexee, Whitnee, Emma Grace and Caroline.
 |
| Connie W. Cathey Immediate Past International President |
Connie is a native of Asheville, a small city in the western North Carolina mountains. She earned a B.S. degree in elementary education from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and her M.Ed. from Duke University in Durham, NC. She has worked with students in first and second grades as well as kindergarten. She has served on the SACS reaccrediting team for neighboring counties, numerous times as grade level chairman and served on the School Planning and Management Team.
She is a life member of NEA and has served at all levels and in several capacities as a leader for the North Carolina Association of Educators. She has been selected twice as Teacher of the Year from her school, winning the recognition of District Teacher of the Year in state competition. She has been listed in several volumes of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
Connie has chaired numerous committees for North Carolina Alpha Delta Kappa. She has served NC as corresponding secretary, District I vice president, vice president, president-elect, president and parliamentarian. She served the Southeast Region as chaplain, 1991-1993, and has been a workshop presenter at several conferences. At the International level, Connie has served four years on the Resolutions Committee, including two years as chairman 1993-1995; as International Vice President, Southeast Region, 1999-2001; and as International Chaplain, 2001-2003, International President-Elect, 2003-2005, International President, 2005-2007.
Connie and her husband, Charles, have two daughters: Carla, living and working in the Washington, DC area, and Carrie, who is a pre-kindergarten teacher with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, NC. Her mother, Edna Warf, who joined Omega Chapter in 2002, has accompanied Connie throughout her Alpha Delta Kappa career. Her sister, Elaine Poovey, is her sorority sister as well. Connie’s family loves animals, having cared for Siberian Huskies, a rabbit, turtles and a horse. Currently the animal population includes a cat named Bobbie and a Pomeranian named Foxy.
Connie enjoys meeting people and, through involvement with international exchange programs, has traveled to and hosted people from varied cultures. She likes stained glass houses and “window ornaments,” as well as growing flowers. In her local community, she appreciates the chance to do some work at church, has served on the Board of Friends of the WNC Nature Center and is an active volunteer at Mission Hospitals.
 |
| Carole Leigh Ingram International Executive Board Member |
Carole Leigh is a lifelong resident of Marysville, WA, where she lives with her husband, Brent. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Western Washington University. Her graduate work was completed at Western Washington University and Seattle Pacific University. Carole Leigh began her career in Marysville, where she taught several elementary grades. She taught first grade for 20 years and feels that teaching beginning readers was the highlight of her career. Throughout her career, she served on various curriculum development committees and trained student teachers. She received her district’s Curriculum Quill Award for innovative curriculum. Carole Leigh was actively involved in the Marysville Education Association, serving several terms on the executive board. As a 20-year member of the bargaining team, she was involved in contract negotiations that included collaborative bargaining. She is a life member of WEA/NEA. Carole Leigh and Brent retired from education in 2001.
Carole Leigh has served as Washington state president and was a three-term member of the International Membership Committee, including one term as chairman. After serving as International Vice President, Northwest Region, she served on the International Leadership Committee and International Resolutions Committee. She has been a Northwest Regional Conference presenter and an International Convention presenter.
In retirement, she has enjoyed reading, taking art classes, cooking, redecorating, and travel. She and Brent volunteer for Friends of the Library, an organization that conducts used book sales at the local library with the proceeds from sales helping supplement the library budget.
Carole Leigh and Brent have two children who live nearby. Tyler is a certified personal trainer and is self-employed. Marisa is a graduate of College of Charleston and is currently a manager with Ann Taylor LOFT.
 |
| Janice M. Tashiro International Executive Board Member |
Janice lives on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, just three miles up the slope of Pearl Ridge, overlooking the famous Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial. She was educated at the University of Hawaii and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She joined the Hawaii State Department of Education after receiving her professional teaching certificate. Her entire teaching career was devoted to the Leeward District schools.
Janice’s professional experiences were varied and interesting. Some of her favorite educational experiences were beginning teacher supervision, diagnostic/prescriptive teaching, administration and gifted/talented resource teaching. Janice retired after 32 years of service in 1995, with fond memories of her wonderful teaching career.
Janice has received a variety of awards for her services throughout the years. She became the Leeward District Teacher of the Year and was recognized for her outstanding work with children by the legislature, school board, city council and Department of Education. She actively served in all levels of her professional organization. As faculty representative and a member of the board of directors of the Hawaii State Teachers’ Association, experienced the first teachers’ strike in Hawaii and attended many association conventions.
As a retiree, she became a part-time educational consultant for a financial planning group in 1995. She coordinated their educational seminars and acted as a financial consultant. She helped a middle school establish their School Community Base Management Council and assisted her former school with its writing program and developed standard assessment tools. Presently, she serves as an officer of the Japanese Women’s Society of Honolulu. She helps with fund-raisers and learns about her Japanese culture through the society activities. She is presently learning about Japanese music and songs through her taishokoto lessons. The taishokoto is a string instrument, similar to an autoharp.
Janice was initiated into Hawaii Lambda Chapter in 1979. She has been an active chapter and state leader of Hawaii Alpha Delta Kappa since her initiation. She served as 1997-1999 International Vice President, Southwest Region. She composed a diverse memorial service with a Japanese Bon theme as 1999-2001 International Chaplain. Presently, she is serving her second biennium of her four-year term as an International Executive Board Member.
Janice’s family includes her husband, Lionel, two married sons and five grandchildren. Her favorite past-time activities are baking, traveling, golfing and baby-sitting. Lionel and Janice enjoy traveling with friends and relatives. They both attend Alpha Delta Kappa conferences, conventions and functions every year. Thanks to Alpha Delta Kappa, they have been to wonderful places around the world and have increased their circle of friends by one new friend each year.
 |
| Melinda McGee International Executive Board Member |
A native Texan, Melinda was educated in the Brazosport Independent School District. She attended the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma and holds a B.S. in elementary education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with middle school science and social studies endorsements.
Melinda taught 27 years for the Stilwell Independent School District in Stilwell, Oklahoma. While in Stilwell, she taught third grade, fifth grade and Gifted and Talented Learning Lab for grades 1-6. Her last 17 years in Stilwell were spent teaching science and social studies in the HALLMARK Program for grades 6-8. In July 2005, Melinda "retired" from Oklahoma and in August 2007, she will begin her third year of teaching at Prairie Grove Intermediate School in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Melinda is teaching third grade with a remarkable staff, who makes going to work a rewarding, exciting and enjoyable experience. She is a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Stilwell.
Melinda was initiated into Oklahoma Nu Chapter in 1986. She has served as Oklahoma state recording secretary, president-elect, and president (1996-1998). She has served as South Central Regional historian (1999-2001) and International Vice President for the South Central Region (2001-2003). Melinda served on the Regional Scholarship Committee 2003-2005 and Regional Excellence in Education Committee 2005-2007. She served on the International Resolutions Committee from 2005-2007, as well.
Melinda and her loving, supportive husband of 37 years, Louis, live on 80 acres about 10 miles outside of Stilwell. They have two beautiful daughters, Jeana and Celesta, and two adorable granddaughters, Ayron and Kaeli.
Besides traveling with her husband, Melinda enjoys interior decorating, sewing and reading. Melinda collects angels, Santas, Christmas ornaments, and of course, SHOES. The McGees also have a booth in an antique mall, and enjoy going to auctions and "junkin" to fill their home and booth with treasures. Oh, yes, she loves CHOCOLATE and can’t imagine a day without it!
 |
| Linda Rissel International Executive Board Member |
Linda was born and bred in the “Garden State,” New Jersey! She attended the Toms River Regional School District, received her BA degree in elementary and special education from Clarion State (now University), Clarion, Pennsylvania, her MA in counseling and student personnel services from Jersey City State College, Jersey City, New Jersey and her certification in drug and alcohol abuse counseling from Jersey City State College.
After teaching 32 years in the Toms River Regional School District, Linda retired in June 2001. She taught at various levels in the field of special education, including the educable and trainable mentally retarded, neurologically impaired, and, for her final 21 years, working with the emotionally disturbed. During her career, Linda served her school district in various capacities: staff development presentations, public relations, legislation, curriculum development (designing and writing the special education curriculum, serving on the school-wide NETWORKS program (dealing with substance abuse issues, self-esteem, team work) and being selected to be a FIT (Family Involvement Team) trainer. Linda has also taught at the college level at Georgian Court College, Lakewood, New Jersey.
Linda was initiated into NJ Lambda Chapter in 1975. She has served her chapter at all committee and officer levels, NJ state as recording secretary, president-elect, vice president for membership and state president. Linda served as regional secretary (1993-1995), Northeast membership consultant (1995-1999), serving as IMC chairman (1997-1999) and Northeast Regional Conference chair (1997-1999). Linda served as the Two-Year International Executive Board Member (1999-2001), International Historian (2001-2003), International Vice President for Membership (2003-2005) and was chairman of the International Resolutions Committee (2005-2007).
Community Involvement is extremely important to Linda. She has served on numerous boards, steering and planning committees. Linda presently serves on the Board of Directors for Family Planning of Ocean County, American Heart Association, Community Medical Center Auxiliary and volunteers her time to the Ocean County Girl Scouts, Ocean’s Harbor House (home for troubled and runaway teens), Providence House (shelter for abused women) and House of Hope (Interfaith agency). Linda serves her church as a deacon.
Linda’s work in volunteerism has earned her local, state and national awards. Some of these awards include: Outstanding Young Woman of America, Who’s Who in America, Golden Angel Award from Association of Retarded Citizens, Cecilia Holland Gaines Award for outstanding Volunteerism, Joan Betts Humanitarian Award, Volunteer of the Year in NJ for American Heart Association and the Distinguished Member Award for NJ Alpha Delta Kappa.
Linda has been married to her husband, John, for 34 years. John is the Water Quality Supervisor for the Brick Town Municipal Utilities Authority. Linda spends “the cold months” at their home in North Fort Myers making her a “partial Florida sister”! She loves sailing, shopping, traveling, reading and dark chocolate.
 |
| Carlene V. Iverson International Executive Board Member |
I was born in Portland, Maine, where I lived until I was two years old. At that point, my father returned from his assignment in Korea, and for the next eight years I lived at Ft. Dix, NJ with my mother and two brothers. When I graduated from Pemberton Township High School, I returned to Maine to attend Gorham State College, which later became the University of Southern Maine. I was graduated from USM in 1973, with a bachelor of science in elementary education, and received my master’s in educational administration from there in 1993.
I began teaching at Hall School in Portland, ME in 1973, and was a second and third grade teacher there for 20 years. I became an elementary principal in 1993 and currently have the honor of being the principal of Lisbon Community School in Lisbon, Maine.
I am the proud mother of two daughters, Christine and Kathleen. Christine is employed at the corporate headquarters of a local jewelry store chain and Kaity is a middle school special education teacher. Besides being my daughter, Kaity is also an Alpha Delta Kappa sister. When I am not immersed in Alpha Delta Kappa projects, I enjoy traveling, gardening, quilting and reading. I have visited all 48 contiguous states, with plans to visit the last two. I have a dream of visiting all seven continents, three down and four to go.
My membership in Alpha Delta Kappa began in 1986. I have served as recording secretary at the chapter, state and regional levels, chapter and state president, and state membership chairman. I was honored to be the 1998 recipient of the Living Memorial Scholarship, which allowed me to travel to Ireland to study storytelling. I was elected to the International Executive Board as a Two-Year Member for the 2001-2003 biennium, and International Vice President, Northeast Region for the 2005-2007 biennium.
 |
| Charlene A. Lauria International Executive Board Member |
Born in Springfield, MA (because there were no heroic cab drivers in the area on that snowy March day), Charlene is a lifelong resident of Enfield, CT. She attended St. Joseph’s School for grades 1-8, and graduated from Enfield High School in 1970, thereby getting the best from the town’s parochial & public schools. A B.S. degree in elementary education (grades 1-8), was earned from Southern Connecticut State College in New Haven (go, Fighting Owls!) followed by an M.Ed. from Springfield (MA) College (go, Maroons!) and a sixth level from four universities (go, all!). Charlene is also a 1988 graduate of the U.S. Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama.
Charlene’s teaching career has revolved around public schools in Enfield. She taught all subjects in grades 3, 5, & 6 before being transferred in 1976 to her true “career home,” John F. Kennedy Middle School. At JFK, Charlene has taught grade 7 world geography, grade 8 U.S. history, grade 9 economics and American Indian cultures, and grades 7 & 8 developmental reading. Currently, she is JFK’s computer technology teacher, and thoroughly loves teaching her 1,100 students each year. In addition, Charlene has enjoyed an exciting coaching career, leading JFK’s girls’ basketball and track teams, the track and cross country teams at Enfield High School, and Granby (CT) youth basketball teams over the past 32 years. She has conducted many staff and in-service workshops, has been an active building rep for the Enfield Teachers’ Association, and was Enfield’s 2000 Teacher of the Year, as well as a finalist for the 2000 Connecticut Teacher of the Year. Her current passions outside of Alpha Delta Kappa are the JFK Community Service Club and the school’s American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Team.
Initiated into Connecticut Kappa Chapter in 1985, Charlene served CT as state sergeant-at-arms, historian and president-elect before becoming state president in 2000. She has served the Northeast Region as a member of the Scholarship Committee, as a presenter at the 2006 Regional Conference in Portland, ME, and as co-chairman of the 2004 Regional Conference in Farmington/Hartford, CT. Charlene has also served as a member of the International Credentials Committee and as its chairman in Orlando in 2005.
Charlene shares her Enfield home with her mom, but the homestead is anything but quiet. Charlene has a younger brother and his wife, who live in Enfield, a niece and a nephew, a grandniece and a grandnephew, and is fortunate to have over 70 aunts, uncles and cousins who live within a two-hour drive. She also has her Alpha Delta Kappa family, which is near and dear to her heart.
Charlene makes time for her other activities. She is a season ticket holder for the UConn women’s basketball team (go, Huskies!), and loves to read, to travel (yes, she does leave Enfield occasionally), to experiment in the kitchen, to spend quality time with friends, to do computer crafting, and to hunker down in her prized Adirondack chair with her iPod. She collects all things lighthouse, Disney and the U.S. Space Program, and plans to be a bus driver at DisneyWorld for at least one year after she retires (although the purple and teal uniform could be a little tough to wear).
 |
| June Bellamy International Vice President, Gulf Region |
A native of South Carolina, June came to Georgia right out of college to teach with the DeKalb School System in suburban Atlanta. Here, she spent her entire teaching career. Her undergraduate degrees in music education came from North Greenville University and Carson-Newman College. She received a masters in music education from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). To say that music has shaped her life is an understatement. It has given her experiences she would never have had. The added bonus of introducing it into the lives of young people is just the icing on the cake. For most of her teaching career, June taught elementary school music at Stone Mountain Elementary. She was Teacher of the Year twice and listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
June was initiated into membership in Alpha Delta Kappa in 1980. Her friend and mentor, Dr. Rose Mary Kolpatzki, invited her to a Gamma Chapter meeting and the rest (as “they” say) is history. June served as chapter historian, treasurer, president-elect and president, as well as on various committees. She then stepped beyond the chapter and served as Atlanta District chairman. After this experience, she was encouraged to offer for a position on the state level. Here, she served Georgia Alpha Delta Kappa as historian, recording secretary, president-elect (2002-2004) and president (2004-2006). In 1999, after 32 years of teaching, June retired and she and husband John moved from the Atlanta area to the foothills of northeast Georgia, where they built a home. June transferred her membership to Gamma Delta Chapter and found a new network of sisters who welcomed her. All through this journey of leadership, there have been sisters who have been exemplary examples of what sisterhood means.
June’s family brings her a great deal of joy, especially her three grandchildren, Katherine (six), Andrew (four) and John Ryan (two). She has a son (Brandon, married to Christy) and a daughter (Lauren, married to Ryan McCann) who make her proud of the title, “Mom.” Her best friend and husband of 36 years is John, who is a retired school administrator and a big supporter of Alpha Delta Kappa. They are both active members of Toccoa First Baptist Church. Two furry friends of the feline persuasion, Chloe and Chelsea, keep them company.
Besides Alpha Delta Kappa, June enjoys quilting, hiking, reading, community theater and music of all kinds. Her favorite way of relaxing is playing the piano.
 |
| Mary K. Caverzagie International Vice President, North Central Region |
Mary was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but baptized in Lemon Grove, CA while visiting her father for the first time while he was stationed in California as a member of the U.S. Navy. She graduated from Bellevue High School in Bellevue, NE, holds a BS degree in education with an endorsement in business education and journalism from Peru State College, and a MS in secondary education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
Mary graduated from Peru State on Friday, June 3 and was married on Saturday, June 4 of the same year. Her first teaching assignment was in Glenwood, IA, which was just across the river from her new home in Plattsmouth, NE. She had to give up her job the second year because you couldn’t be pregnant and teach in those days. However, she could substitute all she wanted. She returned to full-time teaching in the fall of 1970 and remained at Plattsmouth High School until her retirement in May of 2000. She has the distinction of teaching in three brand new high schools in her career without ever having moved. She was the Career and Life Skills Department head, which included not only business, but family and consumer science and industrial arts. She spent 18 years keeping the computer scores at the State Wrestling Tournament, and has just finished her 26th year volunteering as an assistant to the announcers at the State Track Meet.
Mary was initiated into NE Gamma Chapter in 1974. She has served Nebraska as the treasurer for two terms and recording secretary, president-elect (2000-2002), president (2002-2004), and immediate past president (2004-2006). She has served as North Central treasurer (2005-2007).
Mary and her husband, Charlie, have two grown sons. Kevin, a senior insurance adjuster, is married to Karen and they have six sons: Brady, Chase, Kyler, Caden, Trevin and Micah, and they live in Papillion, NE. Kelly, a doctor, is married to Robyn and they have two sons: Langdon and Mitchell, and they live in Novi, Michigan.
Besides serving Alpha Delta Kappa, Mary is still volunteering her time in the field of education. She is in her second term as secretary of the Plattsmouth School Board, she volunteers afternoons in the high school library, and she and Charlie work as officials at University of Nebraska track meets. She has worked part-time as the plant manager’s assistant at Coreslab Inc., a precast concrete manufacturing plant in LaPlatte, NE for the past six years.
Two of Mary’s grandsons have counted the number of clowns in Mary’s collection—located throughout the house—and there are 211.
 |
| Susan G. Pelchat International Vice President, Northeast Region |
Born in Torrington, Connecticut, Susan is the sixth of nine children. She rode to kindergarten in a station wagon with 10 children and no seat belts. She attended St. Francis School for grades 1-8 at a time when the tuition was $5 for the first child in the family and $1 for every subsequent child. (See sentence number one for impact of family on parish finances.)
Susan attended Torrington High School where the favorite parts of her days were home economics and chorus. She was active in the Girl Scouts and spent nearly every weekend of her high school years assisting troops camping at the local facility. Between that and her afterschool job watching 15-20 pre-schoolers at a day care, she discovered how much she loved working with children. It’s no wonder that Susan became an elementary school teacher.
Susan attended Western Connecticut State College, graduating in 1976. She completed her master’s in elementary education there in 1979. Ten years later, Susan completed a sixth year degree at Southern Connecticut State University in administration and supervision. Currently a literacy support teacher at Forbes School in Torrington, Susan has taught children in grades K-6, worked with talented and gifted students, and spent 13 years as a computer specialist. She has offered numerous professional development workshops at the local level and has served as a BEST mentor for new teachers and a portfolio scorer for the state of Connecticut. Active in the local teacher’s association, Susan has served as president and treasurer and sang the national anthem at the NEA convention while attending on her honeymoon in 1982. She is currently her school’s union representative.
Susan was initiated into Alpha Delta Kappa in 1986. After serving as chapter president in 1991-93, she was Connecticut’s scholarship chair for four years, treasurer for four years, president-elect, president, and immediate past president in charge of membership until her election as International Vice President for the Northeast Region in 2007. In 2003, Susan was selected to participate in the Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program in Japan, a three-week immersion into Japanese culture and education. During her visit, she sent daily journals to the children at her school and to several Alpha Delta Kappa sisters around the state who traveled vicariously on her voyage. Susan has presented workshops about her trip at regional conferences and at chapter meetings in Connecticut. She has been nominated by former students for inclusion in Who’s Who Among American Teachers.
Susan has had many loves in her life, including her husband John, a retired elementary principal, and the theater, the latter of which she gave up when she had children. But now, with two teenage daughters, drama abounds as the curtain rises each day at the Pelchat house, and the spotlight is always on one act or another. The show must go on.
 |
| Carole A. Lee International Vice President, Northwest Region |
Carole Lee, Boise, ID was born in Deadwood, South Dakota, and graduated from Lead High School, Black Hills State College, Spearfish, SD, (BS in elementary education) and Boise State University, Boise, ID, (master’s in early childhood education). Carole taught mostly elementary grades K-2 in Deadwood and Belle Fourche, SD, Crow Agency, MT, Frederick, MD, and Boise and Mountain Home, ID for 36½ years.
Carole was selected as the “Teacher of the Year” for the Mountain Home District in 1994 and was chairman of the district Professional Development Committee for two years. She retired in 2003, after teaching in Mountain Home, ID for 30 years.
Carole was initiated, with her sister, into Idaho Eta Chapter in January 1978. Carole served in many offices and committees in that chapter, serving as president for two terms. She was elected Idaho state historian in 2002. When the president-elect moved to Florida, Carole assumed that position, and when the president’s husband’s illness required her constant care, Carole became the acting president. In 2004, she became
the Idaho state president, and was completing her biennium as immediate past president when she was elected International Vice President of the Northwest Region.
Carole has been married to Keith (Larry) for 40 years and they have one daughter, Pam. Pam and Carl are the parents of Brooklyn, who will be four Sept. 9th, and Gus, who will be two March 10th. Carole and Larry moved to Boise from Mountain Home so they could be closer to their family.
Carole enjoys making cards, reading, movies, listening to music, sewing, scrapbooking, traveling, watching Boise State football and basketball, and playing with her grandchildren.
 |
| Jackie Farmer International Vice President, South Central Region |
The daughter of a Baptist minister who later became an Army Chaplain, Jackie has lived all over the U.S. and in Germany. She graduated from the American High School in Nuernberg, Germany, then from Baylor University in Waco, Texas with a degree in speech pathology and special education. After 20+ years in education, she received her M.Ed in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Jackie is a speech-language pathologist and has taught in other areas of special education for 27 years. In July of 2006 she left the classroom to become an educational specialist at Region VII Service Center in Kilgore, Texas. Her primary duties are providing professional development and technical assistance for speech pathologists and teachers of 3-5 year olds with special needs in the 103 school districts in 18 counties of east Texas.
Jackie was initiated into Texas Gamma Kappa in 1983. She was an active member, serving in several leadership positions including chapter and district president. She served in several state chairmanships, as state chaplain, historian, president-elect, state president (2004-2006) and as South Central Regional historian (2005-2007).
While at Baylor, Jackie met and married her husband Philip. Thirty-one years later, they are very proud of their grown daughter, Jillian, who is a senior at Stephen F. Austin State University. They also have two lovable and spoiled golden retrievers named Sam and Lucky.
Jackie is active in Texas Speech & Hearing Association and Nacogdoches Habitat for Humanity. She is also a member of the Council on Exceptional Children and Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education. In her free time she is a crafter. She paints, cross-stitches and does scrap booking. She also sings in the church choir, loves to read and collects antiques.
 |
| Gloria M. Beatson International Vice President, Southeast Region |
Gloria Mathis Beatson is a professional educator with over 40 years of teaching experience. She received her B. S. in elementary education from Lander University, in Greenwood, SC. She is certified in early childhood education and has endorsement in academically gifted and talented. She taught first grade for 39 years and presently teaches SOAR, a reading intervention program for small groups in grades 2-5 in Lexington School District Two. She has served on numerous committees, presented various workshops and held the highest offices and honors in professional organizations at the district level. Likewise, as a teacher mentor and evaluator, she regularly supervises pre-service interns and new teachers in the district. She has been named Teacher of the Year at her school twice and has been nominated by former students numerous times for inclusion in Who’s Who Among American Teachers.
She was born in Columbia, SC, and the family moved to Turbeville, SC, and then to Manning, SC. It was here that she met her husband, Ralph, her high school sweetheart, and after both graduated college, they married and moved to Columbia, where Ralph is a registered pharmacist and the assistant director of pharmacy at Palmetto Baptist Hospital. They are the parents of two daughters—both are teachers! Jennifer is an associate professor of Spanish at Gordon College in Wenham, MA, is married to Stewart Martin, and they live in Boston. Shannon is a kindergarten teacher, also a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, and is married to Art Cornelius. They live in Cayce, SC.
Gloria has been a member of Omicron Chapter of South Carolina Alpha Delta Kappa for 21 years. She has served in many offices at the chapter level and has served as courtesy chairman, sergeant–at-arms, president-elect and president (2000-2002) at the state level, and is honored to be serving as SERIVP this biennium.
She is very active in her church, State Street Baptist, where she has served as Weekday Education chairman and is currently serving on the Personnel Committee.
Gloria enjoys reading, especially children’s literature, gardening, and, of course, spending time with family and friends.
 |
| Irene T. Nakamoto International Vice President, Southwest Region |
Irene Nakamoto was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, After high school, she continued her education at the University of Hawaii, College of Education, where she received her B.Ed. degree. With a spirit of adventure “of the unknown,” she took her first plane ride over the Pacific to attend graduate school at Ohio University, where she received her master's in elementary education. She then taught 4th graders at Washington School in South Norwalk, Connecticut. During this time, she had the opportunity to study at Wayne State University under an NDEA Fellowship - “English for Disadvantaged Youngsters.”
In 1970, Irene returned to Hawaii to teach for the Hawaii Department of Education, where she remained for 32 years. Her teaching positions included teaching grades 4 and 5, special motivation Classes, and gifted and talented Classes. In 1980, Irene began her administrative career and served as vice principal, educational specialist and principal, until her retirement in December 2002. During her tenure, she received various recognitions: Service to Mankind Freedom Award in Education; Leeward District Teacher of the Year Award; National Distinguished Principal District Nominee; and Freedoms Foundation Summer Fellowship Recipient. She also served as State Representative (to Congress) & President for Hawaii Elementary & Middle School Administrators' Association (affiliated with National Association of Elementary School Principals); President of Hawaii’s Quality School Network; and various offices of her Ikebana (flower arrangement) group.
Irene is currently caring for her 90-year-old mother and assisting her husband, David, a retired social worker, who is currently involved in his ministry efforts.
Irene continues to volunteer as a facilitator and presenter for faculty sessions at a private school and as a curriculum “developer” for her church. Her hobbies include ikebana (flower arranging), Japanese dancing, baking, sewing, golfing, and traveling.
Alpha Delta Kappa will now consume her time and energy and she is excited with this “Challenge of Change” to “Make It Happen.”
 |
| Mitzi Holmes International Vice President for Membership |
I was born in Kansas, but I spent most of my growing up years in Iowa and Illinois. I attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA, and received a BA from U of Iowa in home economics, specializing in textiles and design. Shortly after graduation, I married John. We lived in Illinois twice, Idaho twice and have called Albuquerque, NM our home for 31 years. We currently share our home with a very active dog named Pepper. John and I have been married 44 years and have two married children. Ann, an Alpha Delta Kappa member, is a middle school administrator in Albuquerque. Mark is a veterinarian in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Our grandson, Keaton (2½) is a very special part of our lives.
During my “stay at home Mom” years I was very involved in volunteer jobs in the local school systems. This led to educational assistant positions in Idaho and New Mexico. I returned to school at the Univ. of New Mexico and earned an MA in elementary education and 54 hours beyond that in curriculum and library science. For 20 years, I taught grades 3 & 4, and spent one year doing a 1,2,3 combination classroom research project for the university. In addition to classroom teaching, I spent seven years as a trainer for the Albuquerque Public Schools Staff Development Dept. I retired in 2000, but continued as an SD Trainer on a contract/consultant basis for three years. I was also a consultant and trainer for the YWCA for several years. I am currently a volunteer librarian, tutor and a tutor trainer for a city intergenerational tutoring program as well as a volunteer educator and tour guide at the Albuquerque Biological Park.
I was initiated into NM Gamma Chapter in 1988, and have served in a variety of chapter, state, regional and International committees and offices including NM state president (1998-2000), International Membership Committee and SWR International Vice President (2003-2005).
My hobbies include sewing and fiber arts and crafts, reading, nutrition and developing low fat recipes, aerobic walking, hiking in the mountains, and fishing in Canada at our island, which we homesteaded about 40 years ago. I enjoy taking a variety of continuing education classes and traveling with my husband. I also love dark chocolate!
 |
| Irene A. Clark International Historian |
Irene was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She graduated from the State University College of New York at Buffalo in 1968 and received her master's degree in 1972. She worked at four schools in the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District, a suburb north of Buffalo where she taught first, second and fourth grade before retiring in 2002 after 34 years of teaching.
Irene was initiated into the New York Lambda Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa in 1979. She served as chapter president twice, president of the council of presidents for western New York, state corresponding secretary, state chaplain, state president-elect, and New York state president. She was the Northeast's Regional historian and International Vice President, and has been a recorder and presenter at regional conferences.
Irene and Ed have been married since 1969 and lived in Kenmore for 36 years before moving permanently to The Villages in Florida. She belongs to several organizations there and enjoys reading, crocheting, sewing bears for the children at Boggy Creek, taking clogging classes, and attempting to play golf. They both enjoy dog sitting for friends and neighbors. Irene had been Florida Fidelis Beta Chapter's president until she was elected International Historian.
 |
| Edwina H. Aaron International Sergeant-at-Arms |
Edwina and her husband, Randy, live in Alabaster, Alabama. She received her bachelor of science and masters of education in guidance and counseling from the University of Montevallo. Before retiring in July of 2006, Edwina had been on the faculty of Thompson Middle School in Alabaster since January of 1974. She served as president of the Shelby County Counselors Association and led several workshops at the local and state levels. Since her retirement, she has served as a scheduling consultant to new counselors in the school system.
Alpha Delta Kappa became a part of Edwina’s life in October of 1984, as a member of Alabama Beta Lambda Chapter. She served numerous offices in both the chapter and state before becoming the Alabama state president for 2000-2002. For the 2001-2003 biennium, she served as the Gulf Region historian, 2003-2005 as Gulf Excellence in Education chairman and member of the International Bylaws Committee, and 2005-2007 as International Historian.
Edwina is actively involved in Westwood Baptist Church, where she serves as church clerk and senior adult Sunday school teacher. She is a member of the advisory boards for The Christian Women’s Job Corp and the Shelby County Safe House, a division of Shelby County Family Connection. Edwina enjoys reading, crafting, collecting “violet” items and clowning—just ask Violet! However, she finds her greatest pleasure in being “Nana” to grandchildren Timothy, Capley and Hudson, who live in Alabaster with their parents, Jody and Alesia Aaron.
 |
| Florence Clay Bishop International Chaplain |
Florence Bishop, a life-long resident of Virginia, received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia and a master’s of education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
A Silver Sister in Virginia Zeta Chapter, Florence’s Alpha Delta Kappa service has included Virginia state offices of historian, chaplain and president; Southeast Region chaplain and scholarship chairman; International Vice President, Southeast Region; currently International Chaplain.
She is an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Richmond, where she presently serves as church archivist and office volunteer.
After teaching social studies in Henrico County for over 30 years, with her last assignment as Mills E. Godwin High School Social Studies Department chairman and teacher of advanced placement government, Florence retired from the classroom. She now supervises student teachers for Virginia Commonwealth University, and she works her 20 days annually with the district’s social studies supervisor as part of the county’s “early retirement program.”
She enjoys reading, travel, and staying in contact with a close network of family and friends.
 |
| Heather J. Lindsay President, International Council of Presidents |
Heather was born Carnival weekend in Trinidad. When she was six, her nanny stayed behind when her family moved to Port Credit, Ontario, Canada. She graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, with a B.A. major in psychology and a split minor in math and art. She met her husband, John, at Queen’s, and they have been married since 1969. She graduated from Toronto’s Teachers’ College as a primary school specialist and later as a specialist in special education at York University in Toronto. She taught 32 years at the kindergarten to grade 4 levels, and speech and language to the mentally handicapped for seven of those years. She has also taught 11-year-old boys Sunday school at the Kingsview United Church in Oshawa, where she is still an elder.
Heather became a charter member of Tau in 1978. Besides holding most chapter positions, she has served at the provincial level as president of the Council of Presidents (1994-96), chaplain (1998-00), corresponding secretary (2000-02), president-elect (2002-04), president (2004-06), North Central Region sergeant-at-arms (2005-07), and is presently ON IPP (2006-08).
Wes, her only child, graduated in creative advertising from Seneca College and in computer animation from Centennial College and has taught English in Seoul, S. Korea. He is presently at York University taking business administration. Her husband, John, is a retired high school teacher and artist. Samson is their golden retriever in residence. Heather designed their retreat in Minden Hills, and she and John spend most of their time there. She volunteers at the Oshawa hospital and Haliburton Legion, and is a member of CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women) branches in both locations. Besides sorority, she enjoys playing bridge, book club, making cards, taking art courses, writing, reading, traveling, Curves and curling, and attends Lakeside Baptist Church and bible study group in Haliburton, Ontario.
 |
| Janice M. Estell Executive Administrator |
Jan is a native Missourian and a graduate of the University of Missouri where she received dual bachelor of science degrees in journalism and interior design. She is a former home furnishings editor for Better Homes and Gardens magazine and has taught interior design classes for the adult education department of the Des Moines Public School System.
Jan has over 25 years of association management experience, working with Camp Fire International, Mid-West Health Congress and Alpha Delta Kappa. She free-lanced the KAPPAN prior to joining the staff on a full-time basis in 1989. In 1996, the International Executive Board appointed her Executive Administrator.
She is a certified association executive, having received her certification from the American Society of Association Executives in 1991. Only about 3,000 of the over 25,000 U.S. association executives have earned this professional designation.
She and her husband, Barry, an attorney, have one daughter, Libby, who is a journalist in New York City. They have two four-legged sons, William Wallace and Malcolm Wallace, proud Scottish terriers. Jan’s hobbies include knitting, reading, cooking, entertaining, traveling and gardening.
