Norman Mullins:  

MY LIFE Although I've lived elsewhere for most of my life, West Virginia is home. I will go to my grave as a proud West Virginian. I have had a my share of professional successes, but the most important experiences have been with students. I especially hold close those experiences at Man High School and Harpers Ferry High School. I remember fondly the students and faculty at those two schools. I've about worn out the two yearbooks remembering. I also remember fondly several teachers at Man High School: Mrs. Amburgy, Mr. Browning, Mrs.. Burgess and Mrs. Cieplehowicz. Whatever I have achieved, I credit their ability and confidence in me. After having earned a bachelor's and master's degrees from Marshall University and a Ph.D. from Ohio University, I did post graduate work at Columbia University and Harvard University. Over the years, I worked for school systems in WV, Ohio, NY and SC. I retired from a school system in South Carolina as a superintendent, and currently live in York, SC with my wife Hilary. Appalachian culture significantly influenced my life. It gave me a colorful, if quaint, language and mode of thought that set me apart from most. At times, I have viewed that influence as both a blessing and curse. I remember well my first year of college and how foreign the world outside the mountains appeared, and how incredibly inadequate and different I felt. One embarrrassing incident happened in a Freshman Spanish class. I was reading aloud and came across the word CHIHUAHUA. Rather than pronouncing it properly, I said CHEEHOOHOOWHA. Needless to say, the class went crazy laughing. I wondered what all the commotion was about. There were thirty-five eager students who wanted tell me how ...Expand for more