Epsilon District Directors Series Part 6: SW June Inhern

It is truly an honor to have been asked by our state president, Donnis Poe, to serve Epsilon State as the Southwest District Director.  I am grateful to have the opportunity to get to know members of other chapters who share the same interest and love for education as I do. My name is June Guillory Inhern.  I am a member of Alpha Zeta Chapter in St. Landry Parish and have been a member since 1992.   I have served our chapter as President for two terms and I am currently on my third biennium as Treasurer of Alpha Zeta.  I am originally from Ville Platte, LA but moved to Opelousas and then Washington twenty years ago.  

 I am currently the Preschool Facilitator in our parish public school system in charge of the LA 4 and Special Education Pre-K programs.  I also serve as the Child Search Coordinator for the Special Education Program.  I am in my 37th year as an educator and I still honestly can say that I love it.  I graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte. I have a B. A. in Elementary and Special Education from USL and a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision from LSU, plus 30 hours with certifications in many areas but Pre-K is my love. 

I am on the United Way Board in Opelousas, the Historic District Commission and the Steamboat Association in Washington and most recently have been invited to join the Opelousas Sunrise Rotary Club.  I am active in my church community currently serving as a Reader.  I have taught catechism and was a teacher and then later the director of the children’s summer church camp for four years. 

I have been blessed with four wonderful children, Alyce, Jean-Paul, Anne Marie and Philippe, who are all grown now.  I only have one left in school…whew! 

 I am also known as “Grammy” to three beautiful grandchildren, Sam, Kate and Abigail.  They are all preschool age so you know I’m having fun!  I’m also very grateful that although my parents are getting up in age they are still healthy. 

I enjoy cooking and am always looking for new recipes so you won’t be surprised that I collect cookbooks.  I also like to decorate and I love antiques!   My home is 150 years old.  I’m hoping one day to open a bed and breakfast or rent out the house for small receptions.  This is the plan for “when I retire”.  I love meeting new people and I feel this is a wonderful way to do so. 

For now I am very honored that God has called me to be an educator, I still enjoy my profession and its many challenges.  I am proud to be a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.  I consider it a privilege to have been invited to become a member of such an elite group of key women educators.  I enjoy working with people and I look forward to meeting and working with all of you.

Who will present at International?

Have you ever wanted to present at a convention (state or International)? Now is your time. Louisiana has an abundance of talented teachers with a wealth of information and knowledge for sharing at International Convention. Proposals are being accepted for breakout sessions until February 15, 2012. Form 48 (Breakout Session Proposal) can be found at dkg.org. So, develop your ideas, call on other members to assist if you want. But, don't hesitate to submit the form for your idea on a great session.

Epsilon increases workshops for Convention 2012

Epsilon First Vice President Martha Turner and convention coordinators Diane Vickers along with Bertha Hinojosa have coordinated efforts and resources to increase the workshop opportunities from eight to ten. This is a huge step in the right direction for Epsilon. Traditionally workshops are planned based upon space and time factors when determining the number of breakout sessions for the convention. Many thanks to these ladies for "thinking beyond" in this phase of the convention planning.

Winter Deltion 2012

The Winter Deltion will soon arrive to members via email or postal mail with information from around the state, convention, and opportunities for member involvement. Please read! Some of you will be thrilled to read about those members who have received awards either from Epsilon or other agencies/groups for various achievements. The proposed amendments are included in this edition. Read the amendments about proposed changes that will affect our state. Registration form for state convention is included with deadlines and information. You will want to attend! Workshops are also listed that offer a variety of information for fun and educational projects. Your greatest challenge will be deciding on which ones to attend. So read and review the information about our state in the Deltion.

New Year's Resolution - Creating and assisting chapters

Connie Savell of North Carolina and a member of my Golden Gift class of 2010 recently shared her great news concerning the development of a new chapter in her state. For some time, Connie has wanted to develop a chapter in her area consisting of educators who had the same goals as DKG but lacked a developed group of DKG members in the district in which she lived. First meeting was attended by 32 members (active, retired, reinstated) from Connie's georgraphic area who feel passionately about DKG and know the value of being a member of a society that promotes women in education.

Epsilon is looking for members to assist in developing/starting chapters throughout the state. Are you a member who aspires to create a chapter in a parish which currently does not have a chapter? Are you a member who feels strongly about assisting a chapter in need? Qualifications for this task- Belief in DKG, vision of the chapter development, willingness! Make a New Year's resolution to assist Epsilon in moving forward and upward. Email me at donnispoe@yahoo.com with your ideas and let's get started. You can do it!

Epsilon State Convention 2012 Cover Designers

Congratulations to Pam Bond (Alpha Upsilon) and Maureen Theriot (Alpha Delta) for the creation of the cover for the 2012 convention program cover. The design cover is a representation of great efforts on the part of two highly talented women of DKG. Epsilon is truly blessed with women who are leaders, artists, musicians - teachers making a positive impact in our state. So, be sure to check out the design cover at convention and congratulate these ladies on a job well done.

DKG International Convention Registration Opens January 2012

Time is quickly approaching for Epsilon members making plans to attend the 2012 DKG International Convention in New York. This is an exciting time for DKG Society as all countries come together for the purpose of conducting business, making new friends and renewing of old friendships. As you begin to make your plans for the summer, please consider attending the convention along with other Epsilon members. So, plan to join us in July at the Sheraton in New York. Registration form will be available at
www.dkg.org.