I was born twenty miles north of New York City where I lived for the first eight years of my life. Our family joined other relatives who were migrating south in search of a lower cost of living and new opportunities. My family and I relocated to Gwinnett county where I graduated from high school and still live today. Joint enrollment and AP classes allowed me to get a jump on college and I was able to graduate from Georgia State Universtiy just three years after graduating from high school. I received a BBA in marketing and began work for a small company that truly planted the seeds for the beginning of online auctions. My job was to install our computer system and train high line car dealership managers in the use of those systems as a buying tool. I knew I wanted to pursue a graduate degree and enrolled in Georgia State's Master's program. Because I was recently married and starting a family, I worked at Rich's Department Store during this time. I received my MS in management when I was six months pregnant. I continued to be involved in sales and marketing for the next few years. After my second child was born, I was extremely fortunate to stay home with my children, but as my third child entered preschool, I was ready to come back to the work force. I had been investigating the possibility of making a career change that would better suit the needs of my family. As my children grew, I also became more involved in their lives as a volunteer in their school, in church, as a Girl Scout Leader, team mom...The more committed I became in their activities, the more I realized how satisfying it was to work with children and play an influential role in their lives. During this same time period, I began to volunteer in the school media center which lead to a full time media clerk position. After working for about a year and a half in the media center, I knew this was the career I wanted to pursue. Every day was different in the media center. I was able to work with teachers to find resources to support their lessons. I was able to represent our school in the community. But most importantly, I learned how one person in the school can so signifigantly impact the lives of all the students. The media specialist is the key to promoting reading and to educating our students on literacy and information skills. The Universtiy of Georgia's School Library Media program information was sent to me at a true turning point in my life. Two years later, I have the experience, the education, and the desire to be the Media Specialist that students and teachers of today need.
It has been a challenge to work full time, go to school, and continue to be the "Willingham Taxi Service!" Not a day of the week goes by by without me taking one or all of my kids to a practice or a game or some other social committment they might have -before and after school! All three are heavily involved in sports therefore, my number one hobby is watching them play sports, whether it is basketball, softball, or baseball. About once or twice a year, we manage to get away as a family to our favorite vacation destination - the beach. We love St. Augustine, Florida for it's beautiful beaches, rich history, and fantastic restaurants. However, the past few years, we've discovered Charleston, South Carolina. It too has so much to offer in terms of beauty and culture. Someday, we would like to relocate to the coast. But as my oldest is starting high school, we are staying put. Gwinnett county has been very good to me for the past thirty plus years. I look forward to giving back to a community that has given me the motivation to impact the lives of a future generation.
I am also looking foward to being able to read for pleasure again! As my peers in my cohort and I have laughed at the irony of our program: We, the lovers of books and information must sacrifice that joy for two years while we work towards our goals of becoming a media specialist! The sacrifice is well worth it though. Now I will be able to work all year to instill that love in others.