Judy Williamson:
CLASS OF 1970
West Genesee High SchoolClass of 1970
Camillus, NY
Judy's Story
45 years since graduation? Are we having a reunion? jjwilliamson iCloud com
Then: Introverted but rebellious; political activist; artsy; not a joiner.
Now: Living in RI, the Ocean State -- Couldn't get back to my native New England roots fast enough after living in Upstate NY. Currently working as CEO of non-profit (AAEEBL -- Assoc. for Authentic, Experiential and Evidence-Based Learning) serving higher ed.
Attended college in NYC -- Psychology degree. Moved to RI. Had 3 kids. Got graduate degree in English with specialization in rhetoric and composition, Victorian literature while also getting certified to teach high school English (Thanks for inspiration, Mrs. Size!) Aside from student teaching, I've only taught in higher ed -- Ed and Tech; lots of writing courses; Western lit; children's lit (a favorite to teach); adolescent lit (also loved).
Career Paths
1. Worked in PR for years -- freelance writing and then got Accredited in PR (APR) through PRSA. Claim to fame: Got Town and Country mag to come to big RI Historical Society Ball and do photoshoot.
2. When kids were little, taught Lamaze classes as certified childbirth educator (CCE). Loved that!
3. Moved into higher ed after grad school. Favorite job at Brown University where I was leader on a team on project to create ed reform in Saudi Arabia w/ my areas focuses on integration of tech; laptop initiative; English language literacy; and project-based learning.
4. Gave myself a sabbatical to go back to birthing and babies. Re-certified as CCE and taught at RI's Women & Infants Hospital and Alternative Birthing Center. Also got certified as a doula and worked in labor and delivery as support to birthing couples. Loved that too!
Still:
* Artsy -- Favorites include paper arts and lots of sewing, especially sewing for 8 grandkids!
* Introverted -- Don't like parties and crowds. Still not much of a joiner.
* Politically engaged -- A true liberal/progressive Child of the 60s to the core!
* Rebellious -- Don't tell me that I can't do it. I'll prove you wrong! LOL!
Greatest Discoveries Along the Way:
* I'm not really dumb even thou...Expand for more
gh I can't do math -- a transformative insight! (Didn't know this until grad school in my 30s!)
* Being a grandmother is totally the best role I've ever had in my life!
* You can't change anyone or anything except yourself, and burning bridges is not the way to roll.
* A day doesn't sparkle unless my creative muse prompts me to produce something tangible.
* "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." (Still love the Beatles!)
* The biggest challenges may result in the most provocative and meaningful transformations!
* Learning is the ultimate thrill-ride! Bring it on
How I Remember Years in High School:
* Worrying about what other people thought.
* Concerned about being accepted.
* Obsessed with appearance.
* Completely turned off by "rah rah" type school spirit and sports.
* Gaining victory to wear pants to school after 3+ years in mini-skirts and dresses!
* Passionately pining over a certain crush for years and finally hooking up senior year then staying in touch through all of life's changes. (Rewarding.)
* Cutting classes and days of school.
* Visits to the nurses' office when I was tired or wanted to go home.
* Forging my mother's signature and writing my own excuse notes! (Yay, me!)
* Mr. Laudermilk's earth science class.
* Mrs. Size's (Sise?)English class.
* Mr. Knittle's biology class.
* Not being able to take chemistry since I was so bad at math. (In my 50s, learned I have dyscalculia.)
* Compensating constantly for not being able to use numbers.
* Getting a pass to the library daily from Mr. Baldwin that got me out of geometry: He was a teacher who understood me!
* Mr. Weiner's ceramics class.
* Art classes and learning to love art history! (Can't recall that wonderful teacher's name.)
* Faking that I took a shower in PE since I hated to get my hair wet then look bad all day.
* Figuring ways to get out of swimming in PE even though I had accomplished Red Cross life-saving.
* Learning how to sew in home-ec - still grateful for that!
* Oblivious to what a great education I was getting and how well-rounded as a person my high school background was enabling me to be.
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