Delta Xi
Pitt County, Region II
Eta State, North Carolina
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Pitt County, Region II
Eta State, North Carolina
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The President's Pen
October 2019
What is your goal? Do you have a vision for the next 5 years? Have you set goals for the next months, weeks or years? Maybe if you are working, you are looking forward to retirement. Or if you have retired, what is on your plan to do? Is your plan, dream or goal something simple or very significant? Our November meeting will include making a Vision Board. Start thinking about what you wish to
accomplish, where do you want to be, how do you plan to do it or how do you plan to do it. It could be where your next trip is going to be. Whatever you dream of doing, begin by thinking. That is the hard part. We will meet at Parker’s BBQ on Memorial Drive so we can put pictures to our goals and visions. Make your plan to be there.
DKG is doing some data analysis, but in order to address state goals better there needs to be some data collection. Leadership has tasked the chapter presidents with the job of collecting this data. To determine more effective goals and visions, I need some information from you. I need you to answer one question for me and email me your answer.
If you are 20-40 years of age, answer “A”.
If you are 40-70 years of age, answer “B”.
If you are 70+ years of age, answer “C”.
Send your answer to me at [email protected].
Thank you for being the women of dreams, the movers and shakers. You are the ones who respond to needs and make things happen to accomplish them. I so love being involved with women of vision! I look forward to being with you on November 12 at Parker’s .
~Laura Lavin
June 2018
As current and former educators, the thoughts of June, end of school year or semester, completing required paperwork along with visions of vacation plans flood the mind. Summer was close at hand. If you were like me, you had a “to do” list of items to accomplish in that illusive free time. It was time to evaluate the successes of the year, recharge and plan for the next year. In Delta Kappa Gamma we have come to the end of another year. It is time to celebrate--to sparkle! First is the celebration. Our final meeting of this year will be June 12. Our Region II Director Tammy Cullom will be with us again this year. If you haven’t made plans to attend, please do so. We have a great deal to celebrate! Join me at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church as we install new officers, initiate new members and enjoy the fellowship of our members of Delta Xi.
When I became President, I learned very quickly that the ladies in this chapter held a wealth of knowledge and expertise they were willing to share. Not only did you share their knowledge, but you also stepped up, inspired me, volunteered and offered suggestions and plans for success. It was the most motivating experiences I had. I often left meetings feeling humbled to be a part of this “Band of Sisters.” Being with women educators who brought enthusiasm, joy and vision to our chapter was and continues to be exhilarating. This is what I am counting on! Let’s set our goals and plans for 2018-2019 full of opportunities to enhance our lives and the lives of other educators.
Enjoy the beginning of summer and family, relax and rest with vacations then help us as we plan for one of the most exciting years in the history of Delta Xi and Delta Kappa Gamma. The Executive Board is asking for your guidance and help. We have a scheduled a planning session on July 31 at Grace Church on Charles Street near Fire Tower. We will meet from 10-12 noon concluding with lunch. We want your ideas and commitment. Make plans to bring your ideas and energy! Let’s celebrate on June 12th!
~Laura Lavin
April 2018
Last year our newly installed Eta State President Connie Savell charged us to SPARKLE. This year has been an opportunity to dust off and polish our gifts and talents to share with other in a demonstration of our “Sparkle.” I want to journey back a few years to reflect on our “Sparkle” journey.
Several women leaders of our Delta Xi chapter envisioned the idea of providing a mini grant to assist Beginning Teachers of Pitt County with funds for their classrooms. This idea had been in the incubator stage for a while as Delta Xi had successfully acquired an amount of funds to make this a unique opportunity. These women leaders also provided the vision of honoring two women educators in our chapter, Dr. Betty Levey and Christine Waters. The insight didn’t stop there. These leaders knew we could cultivate new leaders and members for our own Delta Xi chapter.
This year we are expanding this role. Our April meeting will be the chance for all of you to see where your influence has gone. Previous mini grant recipients will share the results of their grant proposals with us at W.H. Robinson School. This is the direct connection from our past leaders with the hope of new leaders and possible members of the future. It will be your connection with a new future generation of learners from the generation of educators currently in our chapter and those who have gone before us. Our founding members and leaders across the county, state, nation and around the world must be smiling! How a small but dedicated band of women can make a difference in the lives of children in Pitt County is nothing short of amazing!
Please make every opportunity to be present to show your support of these educators. These are the future leaders we want and need to tap into. You remain the best asset Delta Xi has. It is also the grand resource of our collective years of experience and influence these Beginning Teachers could draw from that will propel them on to greatness. Be sure to make your meal reservations.
I look forward to seeing you at W. H. Robinson at 5:45 PM!
~Laura Lavin
November 2017
A challenge has come from Eta State to inform and educate our friends and families about Delta Kappa Gamma including our personal stories of involvement and purpose. As you visit with friends at church, work, grocery store, and community activities use these occasions to share why DKG is important, your involvement and the positive impact on education. We all have wonderful experiences that the public needs to hear and to understand how we can continue this legacy.
Tri-Chapter will be December 5 at 6 PM at Brook Valley Country Club. Menu includes green salad, herb roasted potatoes, braised green beans, beef tips, mushroom braised chicken and apple crisp. Drinks include tea, water and coffee after dinner. A cash bar will be available for domestic beer ($4) and 5 varieties of Canyon Road wine ($6 glass). Meal cost is $25. Head count will be turned in on Nov. 17 with the checks going to Page Balance. We are asked to bring a child’s book for our speaker and $5 gift cards for BTs. Steve Creech will also supply our entertainment. You will want to attend to join with fellow sisters along with our Region II director and Eta State president.
Region II has designated November as “Sharing Thanksgiving.” Our Executive board has decided to help a young family suggested by Lori Garrison. This single mother with children works at a fast food restaurant while pursuing her GED. We want to help with food, clothing and other items. Lori will give us details on items. We will set up a collection location at our meeting.
Save the date for March 24 for a Region II event. More information will be coming with details. We are planning on meeting in New Bern with Eta State President as our guest.
The November meeting will be at South Central catered by the Culinary Department with an exciting program by Lauren Piner. We will be in Ms. Lee’s room which you may enter from the parking lot near the ball field.
There are lots of opportunities to continue to be valued and valuable. Let’s come together to pool our collective talents and resources to share with those around us as we continue to learn. I look forward to seeing and working beside you.
~Laura Lavin
August 2017
We have work to do! One of the ideas that makes Delta Kappa Gamma sustainably worthwhile is our impact on education, leadership and the classroom. With collaboration and networking throughout our professional work years and the expertise of some of us in our “mature” years, we remain an influence on educators, students and the community. I want to encourage you to use your gifts for Delta Xi providing support to our younger members while we encourage educators to join us in bringing about a transformation.
Our first meeting will be a time to dream, share and team together. I’m asking several of you to share ideas and committee responsibilities with all of us. You can choose where you want to channel your efforts. We want to establish an active, involved and excited chapter this year. There are even plans afloat for a Region II fun activity. Tammy Collum, Region II Director, is organizing this fun event for all DKG sisters.
If you have a guest who is interested in Delta Xi, invite them to come to our first meeting. We can provide an opportunity for involvement with a grand group of ladies that can lead to active membership and professional endeavors.
See you on September 12th at South Central High School. Menu is baked potato and salad, drink and dessert.
~Laura
June 2017
Eta State Convention is an exciting time. There are great benefits of seeing friends, learning new skills, being entertained, laughing, reminiscing and networking. As with education, there are always new skills to learn. I marveled at the accomplishments of chapters across this state. But we also have made some accomplishments! Our newsletter received an award again this year! Thank you Sheila Mendoza! Delta Xi also won a Chapter Achievement Award. We can do better—better programs, better involvement, better activities to help Beginning Teachers and to help learners. One of our own, Patricia L. Peoples, was honored at the Ceremony of Remembrance. Every member should commit to attend the Eta State Convention or a Regional conference at least once. The benefits are enormous.
One of the best activities of Eta State is the opportunity to get away from our routines and network with other formidable women educators in our state and even beyond. Ideas blossom, leadership skills are fine-tuned, new friendships are made and older ones renewed. I am so excited about the future of our chapter and society. My mind is racing with possibilities of endeavors to encourage and mold educators. The ideas are not mine alone but a compilation of thoughts and conversations from fellow sisters. Fasten your seat belts, we are taking off for the future!
Why? Why did you join Delta Kappa Gamma? Why did someone value you and your accomplishments as an educator so much that she felt compelled to invite you? What educator do you know who has impressed you so that you would like to invite her to become a part of Delta Xi? Someone in your past treasured your gifts as a teacher and leader to invite you to bring your special talents to this group. There is an educator who is just looking for a group of women educators to associate with, to challenge her and encourage her. You are the link from the past with our DKG founders to the educators of the future. Talk with that person, encourage her and invite her to bring her special gifts to our chapter. Just as there is someone waiting to be asked, we are waiting to develop her skills to grow our chapter.
As you vacation or visit with educators during the summer months, will you look for opportunities to invite them to become a part of us? Won’t you ask at least one?
I look forward to seeing you on June 13 at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church for our final gathering of this school year. Dinner will be at 6 PM. The cost of the dinner is a gift card to give to Beginning Teachers. Our Region II Director Tammy Collum will be with us to share some words of wisdom.
~Laura
January 2017
Happy New Year! I am so grateful for the new beginnings that 2017 brings. I am thankful for the many things we have survived but also what we have to look forward to. With one-twelfth of 2017 behind us we have a great deal to look forward to. As educators, each day is a new beginning full of opportunities to bring education and learning to the center stage. Our first meeting of 2017 is February 21 at 6 PM at South Central High School. Emily Cayton will be our speaker. Emily has 8 years of teaching experience in Wilson County and is a doctoral candidate in Science Education at NCSU. Last spring Emily had the opportunity to travel to Finland with a group from NCSU to learn about education in Finland. She will be sharing with us some of the intricacies of Finnish education, how it is different from US education and what we can learn from them. I am sure you will want to be present for this opportunity.
Eta State Convention is April 28-30th in Wilmington. There are some exciting and interesting sessions planned, not to mention the opportunity to smell a little salt air and renew friendships with other DKG sisters. I hope you will seriously consider attending this convention. Check out the new Eta State website for more information at www.ncdkg.org/2017-convention.html. With a close location this year, I hope you will consider attending.
We will again be selling our “DKG angels” at the convention as a fundraiser for our Levey-Waters Mini Grant. More information on a work session will be coming from Linda Teel. Last year this netted us over $500 for our mini grant. We also had a good time working on this together.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who were able to assist in our “BT Give Away” in November and December at PCC Library. The materials that were part of Dr. Pat Peoples’ personal collection were treasured by those who received them. Thank you for your dedicated work! We had some materials left and they are stored for next fall when we can distribute them for a new crop of BTs. I am so grateful to PCC for allowing us to use the space to give away these items.
We have the opportunity to buy a brick for Eta State Convention headquarters in honor or memory of a DKG sister. The Executive Board decided to ask any of you who wish to donate to purchase a brick in memory of Dr. Peoples to be prepared to do so at our February meeting. We owe so much to Pat for her contributions to beginning educators and for the materials she donated through her estate. A brick is $125. If all give a little we can accomplish much.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our February meeting!
~Laura
November 2016
There are times when no matter what you plan, how far into the future you look, when you began or where you are going, life gets in the way. Things change the path you started or interrupt your plans. I feel this has been the main idea for this fall. We planned and executed a fabulous BT Tea. We had a great first meeting with good member turnout, program and gift cards donated. Even with the loss of Pat Peoples, we now have even more direction. Pat’s will designated that all of her professional teaching materials to go to DKG through us, Delta Xi. Knowing our commitment to Beginning Teachers in Pitt County, she also was explicit that these materials go to BTs in Pitt County. Our direction is laid out for us. Several of you came and worked to cull the items. So after 2 work days and pickup truck loads, these items were stored at our regular place at River Road Mini Storage. With such a noble cause even Hurricane Matthew didn’t cross us. No flooding or damage to any of the stored items! Now the work begins to make this available to BTs soon! If any of you know of a good central location we might transport these materials to make them easily available to the BTs, please let me know. We need move these into the hands of the new teachers and their students.
For several months I have marveled at the wealth of knowledge and inspiration of our members to guide new members, young teachers and encourage veteran teachers. After much thought, I stumbled on an idea. I have asked Dr. Betty Levey to take on the role of sharing the legacy of DKG to those of us who are less informed. She has excitedly accepted. At our meetings she will provide us with a look from the past that brings us into the future.
We will fix our eyes on the future while we learn from the strong women of our past. We will go “Hand in Hand.” I’m excited about this new avenue of growth.
Hurricane Matthew’s destructive event has caused several readjustments in our lives. If any of you have experienced some of Matthew’s devastation, please know there is assistance through DKG. If you need more information, please contact me. As a result of this event, our meeting location and program topic have changed. We will meet on November 8 at 6 PM at Parkers Barbecue on Memorial Drive. Our speaker will be Tracy Hopkins and the program at the meeting will be about Autism.
Tri-Chapter meeting is scheduled for December 8, 6-8 PM at Rep Express on St. Andrews Drive. This is the former Beef Barn. The cost is $25.00. The menu includes Autumn Chicken and Pork Loin, baked potatoes, Sour cream and butter, vegetable medley, garden salad, chocolate cake and beverage. There is also a vegetarian option. Entertainment is by the St. James Jammers. Money is due by November 15 with checks made payable to Beta Alpha. Eta State President Sheila Groves will be our speaker and our new Region II Director Tammy Cullom will also be here. You can bring your check/money to our Nov. 8 meeting. We will get it to Ann Carol Stocks by the deadline.
~Laura
September 2016
President’s Ponderings
A new school year offers so much—new beginnings and endings. No matter if we are continuing to teach or work in education or if we have retired, this time of the year brings excitement, anxiety and reflections. We look to the thrill of new relationships of students and colleagues. Yet we fear the challenges of the unknown which lies ahead. I can imagine the Beginning Teachers in our county had similar feelings. Some have had to relocate to unknown cities, communities and schools. The contrast of leaving secure college and home life to embark on the uncertainty of new communities, schools, students and colleagues is huge.
Let’s fast forward to the BT Tea. It was such a success. You made it happen. New teachers, administrators, and DKG members were amazed at the amount of items. Add to this the publicity from the Daily Reflector article, smiles and arm loads of supplies with the camaraderie of three DKG chapters united to grant new teachers a great new beginning. Thank you for your dedicated work!
How ironic for the newspaper article to feature a photo of our own Dr. Pat Peoples sharing an item with a new teacher. Now with her unexpected passing, there is an opportunity for us to develop the passion for education in these new teachers. We have made great progress in growing new teachers and making them successful. It is invigorating! The same passion that drove you to set up, purchase and devote your time is our opportunity to pay it forward. It is how we move forward. It is more important now than ever before. We need to cultivate the passion and leadership that others once did for us. The vehicle for accomplishing and growing this passion for education lies within us, Delta Xi and DKG. The sphere of influence that you and DKG bring to novices is difficult to comprehend. Often the fruit of our work is harder to see. Yet you continue to do it with ease and efficiency. It is called grace. We are going to build on the foundation laid for us by our predecessors. It will be our DKG year. It will be our “Determined to Keep the Grace” year.
~Laura
June 2016
President’s Ponderings
As a retired educator I can’t help but look forward to summer. It’s with much anticipation that
I look for a time of rest and rejuvenation along with excitement for the fall. Delta Xi has made some great accomplishments this year. With our focus on beginning teachers, we have continued to supply Pitt County Schools with gift cards, goodie bags and grants during this year. We have awarded 6 Levey- Waters Grants this year. But perhaps even greater, we have raised the funds to do this through contributions, angel sales and yard sales. These activities have provided several team building opportunities. We have also had time for information and "play.” 692 Olive and Painted Peacock gave us opportunities to learn and socialize with new teachers and perspective members. I am extremely proud of all we have done. We have co-hosted the BT Tea, hosted the Tri-Chapter meeting and combined our February meeting with a sister chapter. There is more to accomplish.
I am eagerly looking to the future of Delta Xi. June 14th is our next meeting at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church. It will be a celebration of your efforts and activities as we gaze into 2016-2017. With new officers and new members, we can expand the DKG footprint both in Pitt County and the state. Make plans and commitments to join me June 14th.
Summer will also have plenty of activities. Summer leadership training with Eta State is waiting for us in June. We will again be joining our sister chapters to host the Beginning Teacher Tea on August 16. Begin to collect school supplies and items that will be useful to give them in August.
Our first meeting will be September 6th at 6 PM. Our speaker will be Emily Cayton. Emily is a doctoral student at NCSU in Science Education. She and some fellow students have just returned from Finland. She will be sharing with us about the excellent teacher education program and educational practice in Finland. I am certain you will find this very interesting and thought provoking.
I am so looking forward to seeing you in June!
~Laura
March 2016
Our recent meeting was a trail blazer. We learned of a teacher sponsor and a high school student blazing the trail by beginning a new school organization and funding a well for a community from which a school can grow. We had the added opportunity of sharing our meal with our sister chapter, Delta. It was exciting to have sister fellowship with them beyond our Tri-Chapter occasion. Thank you, Donna Matthews, for arranging this for us.
With the recent bone chilling weather, it is always refreshing to look forward to spring, warmer weather and more activities. Our Eta State convention is April 22-24 in Winston-Salem. Room registration deadline is March 22. Early convention registration is due by April 1 to our “own” Chris Waters, Convention Treasurer. There will be exciting sessions, a chorus to sing in, friendships to renew and new ideas to glean. Make plans for the weekend trip to the Twin City.
We are going to be fundraising to provide more funds for our Levey-Waters Mini Grant to Beginning Teachers. With the success of our DKG angels at the Tri-Chapter meeting, we will be making and selling more angels at the convention. We need to make our Angels. A work session is scheduled for April 19 at Mt. Pleasant Church. We would like to make and take lots of these. We had such a grand time making the first batch, so make plans to join us for this.
Our yard sales last year were very successful in raising grant funds. So begin “Spring Cleaning” for those treasures that someone else needs to enjoy! More information on the date is coming.
We have spent lots of effort on cultivating new teachers for member prospects. Now is the time to encourage them to join us. Submit your applications for new members to Hazel Walker.
As I completed annual reports, I have become aware of all that Delta Xi has accomplished in the last year. It is exciting to reflect on where we have been and to look forward to where we will go. I am so blessed to be a part of such a grand group of educators who encourage and uplift those around them. Thank you for giving me this opportunity!
~Laura
December 2015
Many thanks to you who helped us make the DKG angels, attended, and provided for someone else to attend. It was a lovely evening. As a former music teacher, the South Central Ensemble and the singing of the Delta Kappa Gamma Song was quite a highlight with all the harmony of the voices together. We collected 52 gift cards for BTs. An evening of sister fellowship and delicious food was enjoyable even though we missed Eta State President Sheila Groves due to illness. Thank you for all you did.
It will not be long before the news media will be doing a recap of 2015 telling us what we experienced during this year or even what we wished we hadn’t. The year’s activities provide a springboard to more opportunities in 2016. Just as the making of the angels gave us a great team building activity, we have accomplished a great deal in 2015, but have more opportunities in 2016. Stepping in for Sheila Groves was definitely not on my agenda but let me visit some thoughts again. Good DKG sisters do these things just as good educators do.
1. Greet everyone at the door—whether it’s students, parents or educators. Make them
feel important.
2. Stray from the lesson plan—make adjustments in your plans to experience the
wonders in life.
3. Appreciate the humor—share the funny stories we all go through. Some are really
too good to keep to ourselves.
4. Share something positive about another –it goes a long way in developing
appreciation for others.
5. Bond with a colleague—develop and nurture relationships with Beginning Teachers,
educators and DKG sisters.
Have a safe, restful and fun filled holiday! I am looking forward to sharing more opportunities with you in 2016.
~Laura Lavin
October 2015
What an exciting fall is ahead for us in Delta Xi! Our first meeting was on September 15th at South Central High School in the media center. Our dinner was provided by students in the Culinary Food Services program at South Central. The menu was: chicken Alfredo, side salad, assorted cookies and beverages.
We made teacher bags to be used for prizes at the Beginning Teacher support meetings during the year. We met our goal of creating 24 bags for BTs this year. Some ideas of items included were: small bottles-hand sanitizer, Post it pads, candy- hard and small candy bars, gift cards, Starbucks, pens, nabs, salty snack items, gum, etc. We put together the bags and wrote a positive, motivational note. This was a successful activity! We held installation of our new officers---including welcoming JoAnn Lee as our treasurer.
I attended the Eta State Board meeting at Elon University on September 12th. There was lots of information and updates. Just a reminder to those of you who pledged to give to the Education Foundation to make those contributions so I can forward them.
We will also be scheduling a yard sale for the spring. Begin collecting items for us to sell.
We will be hosting the Tri-chapter event this year on December 1st at Rock Springs.
Keep in mind we want to grow our chapter. If you have potential members, begin to discuss Delta Xi with them. We had several people interested at the BT Tea. We would love to have them visit, not to mention begin the process for membership.
~Laura Lavin
June 2015: Laura's first message
Presidential Ponderings
I have always approached the end of the school with mixed emotions—joy and happiness. The feelings of student accomplishment, of getting through another school year and the joyfulness of a relaxed schedule with time for family, friends and recreation were priorities in my plans. Now is no different. We have made some great achievements this year! We have not just maintained a chapter but also revisioned and repurposed Delta Xi digging deeply to offer encouragement and support to Beginning Teachers and to each other. Just as we committed and dedicated ourselves in the beginning of our educational careers, we have boldly stepped up to provide for these new educators. Through inspiration and mentoring in the sharing of our gifts, talents and expertise, I envision the opportunity to rekindle those same feelings within us. Join with me as we celebrate Delta Xi’s accomplishments and work actively to encourage current and new educators as they impact or nation’s greatest resources—our children, our students.
~Laura Lavin
October 2019
What is your goal? Do you have a vision for the next 5 years? Have you set goals for the next months, weeks or years? Maybe if you are working, you are looking forward to retirement. Or if you have retired, what is on your plan to do? Is your plan, dream or goal something simple or very significant? Our November meeting will include making a Vision Board. Start thinking about what you wish to
accomplish, where do you want to be, how do you plan to do it or how do you plan to do it. It could be where your next trip is going to be. Whatever you dream of doing, begin by thinking. That is the hard part. We will meet at Parker’s BBQ on Memorial Drive so we can put pictures to our goals and visions. Make your plan to be there.
DKG is doing some data analysis, but in order to address state goals better there needs to be some data collection. Leadership has tasked the chapter presidents with the job of collecting this data. To determine more effective goals and visions, I need some information from you. I need you to answer one question for me and email me your answer.
If you are 20-40 years of age, answer “A”.
If you are 40-70 years of age, answer “B”.
If you are 70+ years of age, answer “C”.
Send your answer to me at [email protected].
Thank you for being the women of dreams, the movers and shakers. You are the ones who respond to needs and make things happen to accomplish them. I so love being involved with women of vision! I look forward to being with you on November 12 at Parker’s .
~Laura Lavin
June 2018
As current and former educators, the thoughts of June, end of school year or semester, completing required paperwork along with visions of vacation plans flood the mind. Summer was close at hand. If you were like me, you had a “to do” list of items to accomplish in that illusive free time. It was time to evaluate the successes of the year, recharge and plan for the next year. In Delta Kappa Gamma we have come to the end of another year. It is time to celebrate--to sparkle! First is the celebration. Our final meeting of this year will be June 12. Our Region II Director Tammy Cullom will be with us again this year. If you haven’t made plans to attend, please do so. We have a great deal to celebrate! Join me at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church as we install new officers, initiate new members and enjoy the fellowship of our members of Delta Xi.
When I became President, I learned very quickly that the ladies in this chapter held a wealth of knowledge and expertise they were willing to share. Not only did you share their knowledge, but you also stepped up, inspired me, volunteered and offered suggestions and plans for success. It was the most motivating experiences I had. I often left meetings feeling humbled to be a part of this “Band of Sisters.” Being with women educators who brought enthusiasm, joy and vision to our chapter was and continues to be exhilarating. This is what I am counting on! Let’s set our goals and plans for 2018-2019 full of opportunities to enhance our lives and the lives of other educators.
Enjoy the beginning of summer and family, relax and rest with vacations then help us as we plan for one of the most exciting years in the history of Delta Xi and Delta Kappa Gamma. The Executive Board is asking for your guidance and help. We have a scheduled a planning session on July 31 at Grace Church on Charles Street near Fire Tower. We will meet from 10-12 noon concluding with lunch. We want your ideas and commitment. Make plans to bring your ideas and energy! Let’s celebrate on June 12th!
~Laura Lavin
April 2018
Last year our newly installed Eta State President Connie Savell charged us to SPARKLE. This year has been an opportunity to dust off and polish our gifts and talents to share with other in a demonstration of our “Sparkle.” I want to journey back a few years to reflect on our “Sparkle” journey.
Several women leaders of our Delta Xi chapter envisioned the idea of providing a mini grant to assist Beginning Teachers of Pitt County with funds for their classrooms. This idea had been in the incubator stage for a while as Delta Xi had successfully acquired an amount of funds to make this a unique opportunity. These women leaders also provided the vision of honoring two women educators in our chapter, Dr. Betty Levey and Christine Waters. The insight didn’t stop there. These leaders knew we could cultivate new leaders and members for our own Delta Xi chapter.
This year we are expanding this role. Our April meeting will be the chance for all of you to see where your influence has gone. Previous mini grant recipients will share the results of their grant proposals with us at W.H. Robinson School. This is the direct connection from our past leaders with the hope of new leaders and possible members of the future. It will be your connection with a new future generation of learners from the generation of educators currently in our chapter and those who have gone before us. Our founding members and leaders across the county, state, nation and around the world must be smiling! How a small but dedicated band of women can make a difference in the lives of children in Pitt County is nothing short of amazing!
Please make every opportunity to be present to show your support of these educators. These are the future leaders we want and need to tap into. You remain the best asset Delta Xi has. It is also the grand resource of our collective years of experience and influence these Beginning Teachers could draw from that will propel them on to greatness. Be sure to make your meal reservations.
I look forward to seeing you at W. H. Robinson at 5:45 PM!
~Laura Lavin
November 2017
A challenge has come from Eta State to inform and educate our friends and families about Delta Kappa Gamma including our personal stories of involvement and purpose. As you visit with friends at church, work, grocery store, and community activities use these occasions to share why DKG is important, your involvement and the positive impact on education. We all have wonderful experiences that the public needs to hear and to understand how we can continue this legacy.
Tri-Chapter will be December 5 at 6 PM at Brook Valley Country Club. Menu includes green salad, herb roasted potatoes, braised green beans, beef tips, mushroom braised chicken and apple crisp. Drinks include tea, water and coffee after dinner. A cash bar will be available for domestic beer ($4) and 5 varieties of Canyon Road wine ($6 glass). Meal cost is $25. Head count will be turned in on Nov. 17 with the checks going to Page Balance. We are asked to bring a child’s book for our speaker and $5 gift cards for BTs. Steve Creech will also supply our entertainment. You will want to attend to join with fellow sisters along with our Region II director and Eta State president.
Region II has designated November as “Sharing Thanksgiving.” Our Executive board has decided to help a young family suggested by Lori Garrison. This single mother with children works at a fast food restaurant while pursuing her GED. We want to help with food, clothing and other items. Lori will give us details on items. We will set up a collection location at our meeting.
Save the date for March 24 for a Region II event. More information will be coming with details. We are planning on meeting in New Bern with Eta State President as our guest.
The November meeting will be at South Central catered by the Culinary Department with an exciting program by Lauren Piner. We will be in Ms. Lee’s room which you may enter from the parking lot near the ball field.
There are lots of opportunities to continue to be valued and valuable. Let’s come together to pool our collective talents and resources to share with those around us as we continue to learn. I look forward to seeing and working beside you.
~Laura Lavin
August 2017
We have work to do! One of the ideas that makes Delta Kappa Gamma sustainably worthwhile is our impact on education, leadership and the classroom. With collaboration and networking throughout our professional work years and the expertise of some of us in our “mature” years, we remain an influence on educators, students and the community. I want to encourage you to use your gifts for Delta Xi providing support to our younger members while we encourage educators to join us in bringing about a transformation.
Our first meeting will be a time to dream, share and team together. I’m asking several of you to share ideas and committee responsibilities with all of us. You can choose where you want to channel your efforts. We want to establish an active, involved and excited chapter this year. There are even plans afloat for a Region II fun activity. Tammy Collum, Region II Director, is organizing this fun event for all DKG sisters.
If you have a guest who is interested in Delta Xi, invite them to come to our first meeting. We can provide an opportunity for involvement with a grand group of ladies that can lead to active membership and professional endeavors.
See you on September 12th at South Central High School. Menu is baked potato and salad, drink and dessert.
~Laura
June 2017
Eta State Convention is an exciting time. There are great benefits of seeing friends, learning new skills, being entertained, laughing, reminiscing and networking. As with education, there are always new skills to learn. I marveled at the accomplishments of chapters across this state. But we also have made some accomplishments! Our newsletter received an award again this year! Thank you Sheila Mendoza! Delta Xi also won a Chapter Achievement Award. We can do better—better programs, better involvement, better activities to help Beginning Teachers and to help learners. One of our own, Patricia L. Peoples, was honored at the Ceremony of Remembrance. Every member should commit to attend the Eta State Convention or a Regional conference at least once. The benefits are enormous.
One of the best activities of Eta State is the opportunity to get away from our routines and network with other formidable women educators in our state and even beyond. Ideas blossom, leadership skills are fine-tuned, new friendships are made and older ones renewed. I am so excited about the future of our chapter and society. My mind is racing with possibilities of endeavors to encourage and mold educators. The ideas are not mine alone but a compilation of thoughts and conversations from fellow sisters. Fasten your seat belts, we are taking off for the future!
Why? Why did you join Delta Kappa Gamma? Why did someone value you and your accomplishments as an educator so much that she felt compelled to invite you? What educator do you know who has impressed you so that you would like to invite her to become a part of Delta Xi? Someone in your past treasured your gifts as a teacher and leader to invite you to bring your special talents to this group. There is an educator who is just looking for a group of women educators to associate with, to challenge her and encourage her. You are the link from the past with our DKG founders to the educators of the future. Talk with that person, encourage her and invite her to bring her special gifts to our chapter. Just as there is someone waiting to be asked, we are waiting to develop her skills to grow our chapter.
As you vacation or visit with educators during the summer months, will you look for opportunities to invite them to become a part of us? Won’t you ask at least one?
I look forward to seeing you on June 13 at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church for our final gathering of this school year. Dinner will be at 6 PM. The cost of the dinner is a gift card to give to Beginning Teachers. Our Region II Director Tammy Collum will be with us to share some words of wisdom.
~Laura
January 2017
Happy New Year! I am so grateful for the new beginnings that 2017 brings. I am thankful for the many things we have survived but also what we have to look forward to. With one-twelfth of 2017 behind us we have a great deal to look forward to. As educators, each day is a new beginning full of opportunities to bring education and learning to the center stage. Our first meeting of 2017 is February 21 at 6 PM at South Central High School. Emily Cayton will be our speaker. Emily has 8 years of teaching experience in Wilson County and is a doctoral candidate in Science Education at NCSU. Last spring Emily had the opportunity to travel to Finland with a group from NCSU to learn about education in Finland. She will be sharing with us some of the intricacies of Finnish education, how it is different from US education and what we can learn from them. I am sure you will want to be present for this opportunity.
Eta State Convention is April 28-30th in Wilmington. There are some exciting and interesting sessions planned, not to mention the opportunity to smell a little salt air and renew friendships with other DKG sisters. I hope you will seriously consider attending this convention. Check out the new Eta State website for more information at www.ncdkg.org/2017-convention.html. With a close location this year, I hope you will consider attending.
We will again be selling our “DKG angels” at the convention as a fundraiser for our Levey-Waters Mini Grant. More information on a work session will be coming from Linda Teel. Last year this netted us over $500 for our mini grant. We also had a good time working on this together.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who were able to assist in our “BT Give Away” in November and December at PCC Library. The materials that were part of Dr. Pat Peoples’ personal collection were treasured by those who received them. Thank you for your dedicated work! We had some materials left and they are stored for next fall when we can distribute them for a new crop of BTs. I am so grateful to PCC for allowing us to use the space to give away these items.
We have the opportunity to buy a brick for Eta State Convention headquarters in honor or memory of a DKG sister. The Executive Board decided to ask any of you who wish to donate to purchase a brick in memory of Dr. Peoples to be prepared to do so at our February meeting. We owe so much to Pat for her contributions to beginning educators and for the materials she donated through her estate. A brick is $125. If all give a little we can accomplish much.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our February meeting!
~Laura
November 2016
There are times when no matter what you plan, how far into the future you look, when you began or where you are going, life gets in the way. Things change the path you started or interrupt your plans. I feel this has been the main idea for this fall. We planned and executed a fabulous BT Tea. We had a great first meeting with good member turnout, program and gift cards donated. Even with the loss of Pat Peoples, we now have even more direction. Pat’s will designated that all of her professional teaching materials to go to DKG through us, Delta Xi. Knowing our commitment to Beginning Teachers in Pitt County, she also was explicit that these materials go to BTs in Pitt County. Our direction is laid out for us. Several of you came and worked to cull the items. So after 2 work days and pickup truck loads, these items were stored at our regular place at River Road Mini Storage. With such a noble cause even Hurricane Matthew didn’t cross us. No flooding or damage to any of the stored items! Now the work begins to make this available to BTs soon! If any of you know of a good central location we might transport these materials to make them easily available to the BTs, please let me know. We need move these into the hands of the new teachers and their students.
For several months I have marveled at the wealth of knowledge and inspiration of our members to guide new members, young teachers and encourage veteran teachers. After much thought, I stumbled on an idea. I have asked Dr. Betty Levey to take on the role of sharing the legacy of DKG to those of us who are less informed. She has excitedly accepted. At our meetings she will provide us with a look from the past that brings us into the future.
We will fix our eyes on the future while we learn from the strong women of our past. We will go “Hand in Hand.” I’m excited about this new avenue of growth.
Hurricane Matthew’s destructive event has caused several readjustments in our lives. If any of you have experienced some of Matthew’s devastation, please know there is assistance through DKG. If you need more information, please contact me. As a result of this event, our meeting location and program topic have changed. We will meet on November 8 at 6 PM at Parkers Barbecue on Memorial Drive. Our speaker will be Tracy Hopkins and the program at the meeting will be about Autism.
Tri-Chapter meeting is scheduled for December 8, 6-8 PM at Rep Express on St. Andrews Drive. This is the former Beef Barn. The cost is $25.00. The menu includes Autumn Chicken and Pork Loin, baked potatoes, Sour cream and butter, vegetable medley, garden salad, chocolate cake and beverage. There is also a vegetarian option. Entertainment is by the St. James Jammers. Money is due by November 15 with checks made payable to Beta Alpha. Eta State President Sheila Groves will be our speaker and our new Region II Director Tammy Cullom will also be here. You can bring your check/money to our Nov. 8 meeting. We will get it to Ann Carol Stocks by the deadline.
~Laura
September 2016
President’s Ponderings
A new school year offers so much—new beginnings and endings. No matter if we are continuing to teach or work in education or if we have retired, this time of the year brings excitement, anxiety and reflections. We look to the thrill of new relationships of students and colleagues. Yet we fear the challenges of the unknown which lies ahead. I can imagine the Beginning Teachers in our county had similar feelings. Some have had to relocate to unknown cities, communities and schools. The contrast of leaving secure college and home life to embark on the uncertainty of new communities, schools, students and colleagues is huge.
Let’s fast forward to the BT Tea. It was such a success. You made it happen. New teachers, administrators, and DKG members were amazed at the amount of items. Add to this the publicity from the Daily Reflector article, smiles and arm loads of supplies with the camaraderie of three DKG chapters united to grant new teachers a great new beginning. Thank you for your dedicated work!
How ironic for the newspaper article to feature a photo of our own Dr. Pat Peoples sharing an item with a new teacher. Now with her unexpected passing, there is an opportunity for us to develop the passion for education in these new teachers. We have made great progress in growing new teachers and making them successful. It is invigorating! The same passion that drove you to set up, purchase and devote your time is our opportunity to pay it forward. It is how we move forward. It is more important now than ever before. We need to cultivate the passion and leadership that others once did for us. The vehicle for accomplishing and growing this passion for education lies within us, Delta Xi and DKG. The sphere of influence that you and DKG bring to novices is difficult to comprehend. Often the fruit of our work is harder to see. Yet you continue to do it with ease and efficiency. It is called grace. We are going to build on the foundation laid for us by our predecessors. It will be our DKG year. It will be our “Determined to Keep the Grace” year.
~Laura
June 2016
President’s Ponderings
As a retired educator I can’t help but look forward to summer. It’s with much anticipation that
I look for a time of rest and rejuvenation along with excitement for the fall. Delta Xi has made some great accomplishments this year. With our focus on beginning teachers, we have continued to supply Pitt County Schools with gift cards, goodie bags and grants during this year. We have awarded 6 Levey- Waters Grants this year. But perhaps even greater, we have raised the funds to do this through contributions, angel sales and yard sales. These activities have provided several team building opportunities. We have also had time for information and "play.” 692 Olive and Painted Peacock gave us opportunities to learn and socialize with new teachers and perspective members. I am extremely proud of all we have done. We have co-hosted the BT Tea, hosted the Tri-Chapter meeting and combined our February meeting with a sister chapter. There is more to accomplish.
I am eagerly looking to the future of Delta Xi. June 14th is our next meeting at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church. It will be a celebration of your efforts and activities as we gaze into 2016-2017. With new officers and new members, we can expand the DKG footprint both in Pitt County and the state. Make plans and commitments to join me June 14th.
Summer will also have plenty of activities. Summer leadership training with Eta State is waiting for us in June. We will again be joining our sister chapters to host the Beginning Teacher Tea on August 16. Begin to collect school supplies and items that will be useful to give them in August.
Our first meeting will be September 6th at 6 PM. Our speaker will be Emily Cayton. Emily is a doctoral student at NCSU in Science Education. She and some fellow students have just returned from Finland. She will be sharing with us about the excellent teacher education program and educational practice in Finland. I am certain you will find this very interesting and thought provoking.
I am so looking forward to seeing you in June!
~Laura
March 2016
Our recent meeting was a trail blazer. We learned of a teacher sponsor and a high school student blazing the trail by beginning a new school organization and funding a well for a community from which a school can grow. We had the added opportunity of sharing our meal with our sister chapter, Delta. It was exciting to have sister fellowship with them beyond our Tri-Chapter occasion. Thank you, Donna Matthews, for arranging this for us.
With the recent bone chilling weather, it is always refreshing to look forward to spring, warmer weather and more activities. Our Eta State convention is April 22-24 in Winston-Salem. Room registration deadline is March 22. Early convention registration is due by April 1 to our “own” Chris Waters, Convention Treasurer. There will be exciting sessions, a chorus to sing in, friendships to renew and new ideas to glean. Make plans for the weekend trip to the Twin City.
We are going to be fundraising to provide more funds for our Levey-Waters Mini Grant to Beginning Teachers. With the success of our DKG angels at the Tri-Chapter meeting, we will be making and selling more angels at the convention. We need to make our Angels. A work session is scheduled for April 19 at Mt. Pleasant Church. We would like to make and take lots of these. We had such a grand time making the first batch, so make plans to join us for this.
Our yard sales last year were very successful in raising grant funds. So begin “Spring Cleaning” for those treasures that someone else needs to enjoy! More information on the date is coming.
We have spent lots of effort on cultivating new teachers for member prospects. Now is the time to encourage them to join us. Submit your applications for new members to Hazel Walker.
As I completed annual reports, I have become aware of all that Delta Xi has accomplished in the last year. It is exciting to reflect on where we have been and to look forward to where we will go. I am so blessed to be a part of such a grand group of educators who encourage and uplift those around them. Thank you for giving me this opportunity!
~Laura
December 2015
Many thanks to you who helped us make the DKG angels, attended, and provided for someone else to attend. It was a lovely evening. As a former music teacher, the South Central Ensemble and the singing of the Delta Kappa Gamma Song was quite a highlight with all the harmony of the voices together. We collected 52 gift cards for BTs. An evening of sister fellowship and delicious food was enjoyable even though we missed Eta State President Sheila Groves due to illness. Thank you for all you did.
It will not be long before the news media will be doing a recap of 2015 telling us what we experienced during this year or even what we wished we hadn’t. The year’s activities provide a springboard to more opportunities in 2016. Just as the making of the angels gave us a great team building activity, we have accomplished a great deal in 2015, but have more opportunities in 2016. Stepping in for Sheila Groves was definitely not on my agenda but let me visit some thoughts again. Good DKG sisters do these things just as good educators do.
1. Greet everyone at the door—whether it’s students, parents or educators. Make them
feel important.
2. Stray from the lesson plan—make adjustments in your plans to experience the
wonders in life.
3. Appreciate the humor—share the funny stories we all go through. Some are really
too good to keep to ourselves.
4. Share something positive about another –it goes a long way in developing
appreciation for others.
5. Bond with a colleague—develop and nurture relationships with Beginning Teachers,
educators and DKG sisters.
Have a safe, restful and fun filled holiday! I am looking forward to sharing more opportunities with you in 2016.
~Laura Lavin
October 2015
What an exciting fall is ahead for us in Delta Xi! Our first meeting was on September 15th at South Central High School in the media center. Our dinner was provided by students in the Culinary Food Services program at South Central. The menu was: chicken Alfredo, side salad, assorted cookies and beverages.
We made teacher bags to be used for prizes at the Beginning Teacher support meetings during the year. We met our goal of creating 24 bags for BTs this year. Some ideas of items included were: small bottles-hand sanitizer, Post it pads, candy- hard and small candy bars, gift cards, Starbucks, pens, nabs, salty snack items, gum, etc. We put together the bags and wrote a positive, motivational note. This was a successful activity! We held installation of our new officers---including welcoming JoAnn Lee as our treasurer.
I attended the Eta State Board meeting at Elon University on September 12th. There was lots of information and updates. Just a reminder to those of you who pledged to give to the Education Foundation to make those contributions so I can forward them.
We will also be scheduling a yard sale for the spring. Begin collecting items for us to sell.
We will be hosting the Tri-chapter event this year on December 1st at Rock Springs.
Keep in mind we want to grow our chapter. If you have potential members, begin to discuss Delta Xi with them. We had several people interested at the BT Tea. We would love to have them visit, not to mention begin the process for membership.
~Laura Lavin
June 2015: Laura's first message
Presidential Ponderings
I have always approached the end of the school with mixed emotions—joy and happiness. The feelings of student accomplishment, of getting through another school year and the joyfulness of a relaxed schedule with time for family, friends and recreation were priorities in my plans. Now is no different. We have made some great achievements this year! We have not just maintained a chapter but also revisioned and repurposed Delta Xi digging deeply to offer encouragement and support to Beginning Teachers and to each other. Just as we committed and dedicated ourselves in the beginning of our educational careers, we have boldly stepped up to provide for these new educators. Through inspiration and mentoring in the sharing of our gifts, talents and expertise, I envision the opportunity to rekindle those same feelings within us. Join with me as we celebrate Delta Xi’s accomplishments and work actively to encourage current and new educators as they impact or nation’s greatest resources—our children, our students.
~Laura Lavin