Theta Chapter
Wilmington, North Carolina
Region IV
The North Carolina State Organization
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
2023 Theta Chapter Educator Grant Winners
Four $500 Educator Grants were awarded to these Pender County educators in November to produce classroom projects for their classrooms during this school year:
Ashley Berdeau - Surf City Middle School
"Digital Art for ALL" will encourage students to create digital art for presentation using Google Draw.
Tiffany Hansley-Jones - Rocky Point Elementary School
"Literacy Through Photography" will offer a forum and creative way to increase literacy skills by combining the visual linguistics and emotional aspects of learning.
Trevor Judy - Surf City Middle School
"Bringing the Digitally Connected World to Band Class" will purchase a camera for the band to live stream performances for family and community members. Students will access composer biographies to learn about composers - their music and composition.
Ashley LaSalandra - Malpass Corner Elementary School
"Social Emotional Zones" will develop social emotional learning spaces ("calm down zones") for students of diverse needs throughout the school and individual classrooms.
Connie Marks and Linda Jobe present check to Tiffany Hansley-Jones with April Batts, Student Support Associate.
Ashley LaSalandra receives check from Connie Marks and Linda Jobe. Principal Avery Ellington and Assistant Principal Tiffany Locklear are also pictured in this photo.
Gretchen Simmons presents checks to Ashley Berdeau and Trevor Judy, along with Principal Crystal Hall.
Liz Day Showcases Classroom Technology for November Meeting
Connie Marks, Theta president, presents gift to NC DKG President Hilda Parlér, our guest speaker.
Judy Gardner explores virtual reality with Liz Day's assistance.
Phyllis Edgerton, transfer member from Gamma Theta, observes Hudson Prokop maneuvering a drone.
Virginia Teachey tackles virtual reality for her first time.
Our November 18th meeting was held in the CTE classroom of Theta member Liz Day at Topsail Middle School. NC DKG President Hilda Parlér shared her vision for the current biennium as the opening for our business meeting. Liz Day explained the focus of CTE coding curriculum and demonstrated skills students develop through their classroom participation. Theta members were delighted to participate in these activities at the close of the demonstrations as we enjoyed snacks provided by the Arrangements Committee.
Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming Meetings
January 27, 2024 focuses on TRENDING ISSUES IN NC EDUCATION.
NHC Arboretum (6206 Oleander Drive) will host our meeting which includes invitations to NC DKG Region IV Director Tammy Albright and neighboring chapters to attend this activity.
March 16, 2024 is our annual FOUNDERS DAY LUNCHEON at the beach home of Kitty Brunjes.
May 18, 2024 highlights the 2024 THETA GRANT WINNERS with presentations of these projects. The location for this event is the Northeast NHC Library (1241 Military Cutoff Road).
Congratulations to the 2023 Marilyn F Grinwis Gray Scholarship Winners!
Each winner receives a $3000 scholarship to study Elementary Education or Music Education.
Tiffani Cash is a Teacher Assistant in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and full time student at Winston-Salem State University majoring in Elementary Education. She plans to complete her bachelor’s degree program in December and continue teaching in WS/FCS. Tiffani was recently named Winston-Salem/Forsyth Schools' Classified Employee of the Year!
Eric Demetrius Harmon is a graduate student at NC A&T State University seeking a Master of Arts in Teaching and certification in elementary education. His plans include teaching at the elementary level and eventually opening his own school.
Sherre Ojeda is a graduate student at UNC Wilmington seeking a Masters of Teaching degree in Elementary Education. Fluent in oral and written Spanish, she aspires to make the educational experience less intimidating and more welcoming for Spanish speaking students and their families. Sherre recently received UNCW Watson School of Education's Exemplary Intern Award!
Grace Pedigo is an undergraduate at Appalachian State University majoring in Elementary Education. She feels her experience in Germany attending a DoDEA school and becoming bilingual will help her better understand the needs of students who are English language learners.
Mary Katherine Raynor, senior at NC Wesleyan University, believes her experience as a student athlete has helped her learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, respect, and compassion which will serve her well as an educator. Upon graduation, she plans to seek a teaching position at the k-6 level in NC.
Dakota (Cody) Wiseman, a junior at East Carolina University is majoring in Music Education. After completing his bachelors degree, he plans to teach in eastern NC. In the future he would like to continue his education pursuing a masters and potentially a doctorate in music education and philosophy.
May Meeting Showcases Educator Grant Winners
The May 20th meeting provided the opportunity to learn about the five grants funded by our chapter this year. Jody Keziah (pictured on the left) and Jennifer Bloodworth, Pender County teachers, were two grant winners who shared their classroom experiences as funded by our grants. The other grant winners shared their experiences through videos.
Theta Welcomes Transfer Member Mary Kay Longo!
Mary Kay Longo transferred to Theta Chapter from Alpha Nu Chapter in New York. She is pictured with Elizabeth Miars who welcomed her to our May meeting. Mary Kay shared information about her DKG experience in New York. Mary Kay is a retired elementary school teacher who moved to North Carolina with her husband to be closer to her children. She and her husband are avid golfers. We look forward to her contributions to our chapter.
Theta and Beta Phi Past Presidents
Founders Day Meeting Celebrated Member Achievements
The March 18th meeting at the Wrightsville Beach Recreation Center honored Theta founders and past presidents for Theta and Beta Phi chapters, celebrated member longevity and welcomed former members from both chapters to celebrate with us. Attendees participated in a Jeopardy game created by Claire Bennett to test our knowledge of DKG past and present and other topics.
Past Presidents were acknowledged with a rose bouquet and members with 25-45 years of service received pins to recognize their society commitment. Committee reports highlighted activities such as our ongoing donations to the Harrelson Center, Beginning Teacher notes and gift bags and upcoming Theta yard sale to benefit our scholarship fund. Liz Day announced that she will represent our chapter at the NC DKG Leadership Development Seminar at Camp Carraway later this month. The luncheon following the meeting was an opportunity for fellowship among former and current Theta members.
January 2023 Meeting Highlights in Pictures
Dee Snyder, (center) NC DKG Educational Law & Policy Committee member, presented our program with assistance from Theta members Delane Mitchell (left) and Claire Bennett.
Tammy Albright, NC DKG Region IV Director, attended our meeting along with fellow Delta Iota members, Betty Pittman and Katie Bennette.
DKG Southeast Regional Director Dr. Teresa Cowan (right) was joined by her sister Wynne Anderson, DKG member from Tennessee.
Claire Bennett and Judy Busick stand behind the display in memory of deceased member Sophie Floyd who was honored during the program.
Sylvia Quinn and Stacy Pullen, Chair & Founding Officer of the Foster Pantry, with items purchased through our gifts.
Fall Community Project Benefits
Foster Pantry
Our fall community project collected $675 at the November 2022 meeting for the Foster Pantry, a local nonprofit which provides foster youth with essential items, and encourages foster families and caregivers with support resources. The following items were purchased with our contributions: two cribs/mattresses, two highchairs, and three extra large diaper orders in size 4, size 5, and size 6. A large bag of baby wipes was provided with these items. The Educational Excellence Committee thanks you for supporting this important project!
Connect to NC DKG & DKG International
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