Emily Nalven:  

It took me 10 years to get my BS because I worked my way through college and I changed my major from Music Education/Math to Elementary Education. I also transferred to the University of MD from Livingston College (Rutgers University). I ended up teaching in Washington,DC for 3 years. I left because I was so discouraged with the entire public school system there. The children who needed the most got the least and it was never about the children. After I saw teachers helping students cheat on their standardized tests and other teachers doing nothing to improve their workplace, I left. I ended up moving to Oakland, CA (which I had wanted to do since 1974). My dream was to work with Cesar Chavez's union. Unfortunately, he died of a heart attack my first year and I got involved with a woman and her two kids so I had to put my idealism on hold. I've done many things since leaving teaching; database design, document specialist, clinical research, specimen bank, fundraising, training coordination, meeting planning and capital projects support. Currently I am still providing support for the University of California campuses in the facility, design and construction arena. I have 2 dogs, two cats and am married to a transman. Boring stuff, but a lot of time has transpired between my childhood and now. I have my eyes to the future for a great retirement. I find union organizing the most interesting and am Chief Steward for my union. I also am very active with my husband at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. I love living in an urban environment and especially love Oakland. I am an Oakland Athletics fan (baseball is a social and civilized sport) and sing (croak) in my church's choir. I continue to be fascinated with Wicca (have been since I was 13) and stopped playing piano and reading tarot cards. I LOVE music - most any kind except Country, easy listening and musak. Occasionall...Expand for more