Q. How long have you been in your job as the School Improvement Specialist (SIS)?

A. I taught for five years at another school, took 15 years off to raise children and came to the school about 20 years ago. The SIS job was created about 12 years ago and I have served in that position since its inception.

Q. What will you miss most about the school and why?

A. I will miss the people at the school. We have the best faculty and staff in Virginia Beach. They are dedicated and hardworking and exemplify what true educators should be. I will also miss the students. I love working with them and watching them grow into successful adults. I have worked with some of the seniors for four years, so leaving them will be especially difficult.

Q. Why did you choose to work as a SIS, and what do you enjoy about your job?

A. I was in a job that became the SIS job, so I kind of fell into the position. I especially enjoy working with the students. I track students who need to pass SOL tests and set up extra help for them if they need it. Helping them succeed and watching their progress is very rewarding.

Q. If you had one more year as a SIS, what would you have done differently, and why?

A. Because of the new bell schedule, tutoring needs to be re-vamped. Now that we have study halls all day long, providing tutors to help students is challenging. If I stayed for another year, tutoring and extra help session would look very different.

Q. What was most stressful in your daily routine? Why?

A. The person in charge is responsible to see that everything goes smoothly and without problems. Testing is high stakes. Students must pass a certain number of SOL tests in order t graduate and I try to provide the best environment for them to do so. In addition, process is ongoing and demanding and is, therefore, very stressful.

Q. What is one of the most memorable moments you have in your career and at the school? Why?

A. The most memorable moments for me are graduations. They are the reward for all educators who work hard for four years to help students succeed. It is so exciting to see students who were, only four years ago, scared freshmen who will now enter the world as confident seniors ready to move on to the next phase of their lives.

Q. What are your future plans after retirement?

A. My daughter’s family lives near Seattle, WA, and in April, I plan to move out there for six months.

Q. What was your reaction and how did you feel when you were “Tagged by the Superintendent?”

A. I was shocked to be tagged by the Superintendent. I think that the recognition is a testament to all the teachers and staff at the school, because without their support, I could not do my job.

Q. Do you have any regrets? If so, what, and what would you have done differently?

A. My biggest regret is that I was unable to teach as much as I wanted to. I enjoy working with students, and in the job I have now, I do not have enough time to do so.

Q. What did you learn and experience from the school, and how can that be useful?

A. I have learned that individuals have a tremendous amount of power. I have learned that if I reach out to students and treat them with respect and understanding, I can affect their lives. That is a valuable lesson in dealing with anyone, anywhere. Individuals can influence the world, one person at a time.