Margaret Gillispie



A few years back, but one of my favorite stages of life.

Scholarly Pursuit

I believe education is one of the most important aspects of life. It helps life itself to be more enjoyable. I am just beginning on my journey to becoming an educator, but I believe we are all educators and have an obligation to "know" what we are talking about. Learning doesn’t end when you get your degree, it is an ever evolving and changing world, and it is up to us to keep up.

I hope that I never forget this in my new career.

Professional Activities and History

My dream was to become an architect, but somehow I got off course and ended up with an Interior Design degree. My dreams have since changed to becoming a teacher. Actually, it was my childhood dream and I’m not exactly sure why I never pursued it as an adult. I lost sight of it I guess.

After working as a designer/drafter for a kitchen design firm for a few years, I decided to go back for my MsEd degree. That is where I currently am in life, getting educated. I still maintain my job as a designer/drafter, but hopefully by next fall will embark on my new career in teaching the children.

Background

I’m an Air Force brat. I was born in Hazlehurst, Ms. in 1966. We moved several times before the age of 7. Some of those move included Crystal Springs, MS, Las Vegas, NV, Calumet, MI, and finally Lake Charles, LA. I did most of my growing up in Lake Charles, a place that I still call home. I joined the Navy a few years after High School (one of the best things I ever did), and met my husband while stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He is still active duty and calls Jamestown, PA home. We have one daughter who just turned 15 in August. She is a sophomore at Granby HS and loves to play field hockey and soccer, and the violin.

We have lived in Norfolk for nine years now, and by far this has been our favorite duty station, and the longest place we have ever stayed as a family. I hope to begin my teaching career at the elementary school across the street from my home. It holds many special memories for me, as it is where my daughter attended school, made life long friends, and experienced great impacts from many teachers. I hope to have that kind of impact on my future students.