JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND POVERTY PROGRAMS
May 2017
A PUBLICATION OF THE 15TH DISTRICT PTA
Moms Our First Teachers
May is the month when we celebrate the special women who brought us into the world and others who have helped guide and encourage us through it. We’re proud to highlight five fantastic mothers who are worthy of a magazine spread. All five serve as shining lights of warmth, encouragement, and hope for all who are lucky enough to know them. If you’re able, ask these questions to a mother who inspires you. (Take tissues.)
Tiffany White-Diaz Hometown Louisville
Family
This mother of five owns and operates a successful catering company. (Look for MobileSoulbyTiffany on Facebook.) All five of her children have attended Kennedy Montessori Elementary, which is a school that she supports and loves. “It is very difficult to manage owning a business and having children in elementary, middle, and high school. But raising my children to be successful adults is my pride and joy.”
Husband of 14 years, Joseph Diaz, and children Joseph Jr., Damon, William, Mia, and Joshua; dog, Izzy D, and two hermit crabs
Who modeled for you what a mother should be?
My mother, godmother, grandmother, aunts, and neighbors (truly a village concept). When my mother wasn’t able to be there, I had a church, neighborhood, and family of women that helped me.
What is your source of energy? The drive to raise children that are compassionate, loving, and successful adults
What is one thing that you know you did right as a young mother? Adopting my older boys
What is one thing you know to be true about motherhood? No two children will ever be the same. You can raise five children in the same home, and they will all be completely different.
Which of your physical or personality traits do you see in your children?
All of my children are very hard workers. Although my daughter looks like me the most, two of my sons are kind-hearted and will do anything for you.
What message would you like to tell your mother?
My mother instilled in me an ethic for multitasking and a love of God. She is a very faithfilled woman that taught me education, perseverance, and God will take you everywhere you need to be. I would like to thank her for that.
What advice would you offer for younger mothers?
Motherhood does not come with an instruction manual. I
TM
have/am raising a stepchild, birth children, and adopted children. They will love you in different ways, but you must love them all the same. Never trade time with your children for the drive of obtaining ‘things.’ The time you spend with your children is the most valuable thing in the world.
What has been the biggest bragging right and success story so far of motherhood?
That all of my children are hard workers and very respectful. They want to improve their schools and their city. It is wonderful to have smart children that want to have a positive impact in the world they live in.
What makes a special Mother’s Day? When I get to rest
Elizabeth Vonzell Jones Hometown Louisville
Family
All four of this family matriarch’s children attended the former Parkland Elementary, which is now Maupin Elementary. She continues her connection to the school and the Parkland community by serving as treasurer of the Maupin Elementary PTA. Jones is a lifelong education advocate who has obtained several degrees and certifications. She worked 19 years for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) as an Exceptional Child Education (ECE) parent liaison and has a 25-year career as a tax advisor.
I’ve been married to my distinguish husband, Bruce S. Jones, for 43 years. We have four children: Shirmeika, 44, Bruce Sedaka, 41, Shauntel, 38, and Johnnita, 28. I have 17 grandchildren whom I advocate for at several schools: Valley High, Crums Lane Elementary, Brown School, Waggener High, Young Elementary, Western Middle, Highland Middle, Maupin Elementary, and Parkview Middle in Jeffersonville. My children attended Maupin Elementary (when it was named Parkland Elementary). I am a true part of the community.
Who modeled for you what a mother should be?
My role model was my paternal grandmother, Julia, who raised me. She was loving, nurturing, and took time out for me, even when she was working. We did such things as go to the grocery, and she allowed me to help her cook and plant flowers
and gardens in the backyard. She always told me to do my best in school and that there was never a dumb question— only if you didn’t ask one. She said that you could be stripped of many things, but never the knowledge that you acquire.
What is one thing that you know you did right as a young mother? I took my children to the Parkland Library until it closed in 1988.
What is one thing you know to be true about motherhood? There’s no recipe for parenting. There’s joy, pain, commitment, sacrifice, nurturing, encouragement, loving, listening, and discipline.
Berta P. Weyenberg the angel I call ‘Mom.’ If today you feel truly appreciated and deeply loved, then my prayers have been answered—and have a beautiful day.
ESL families and students as the operator of @JCPSLatino on Twitter and JCPS en Español on Facebook.
What advice would you offer for younger mothers?
Manzanillo, Cuba
My advice to younger parents is to take time out to listen to your child and encourage your child.
What does ‘mother’s love’ mean to you?
A mom’s love makes your dreams real, your hurts heal, and your biggest crises seem like no big deal. And whether you’re close by or miles away, a mother’s love is always there and I’m so thankful for it.
What do you wish that you could say to your mother?
I would say, Dear God, please look after my mother just as she looked after her family. Bless her and give her all the happiness she hoped for us to have, and let her feel protected just as I feel protected by
This mother won a lottery as an adult that allowed her to move to the United States. She’s been in Louisville since then, and JCPS won the lottery with a wise decision to hire her. She works as an English as a Second Language (ESL) intake specialist for the district’s ESL Department in the basement of Hazelwood Elementary, which is also the city’s finest location for freshly brewed Cuban coffee. She considers her role as an advocate for international families to be an honor and a privilege, and she keeps communication flowing to the city’s
What is one thing that you know you did right as a young mother?
Hometown
I taught my kids the value of faith, family, work, and education.
Family
What is one thing you know to be true about motherhood?
Husband, Larry. We’ll celebrate our tenth anniversary in September. We did Christian ministry together for four years before getting married. A funny thing: our first date was after a church service at a prison facility. Children are stepdaughter Rachel Loftin and sons Juan Casa del Valle and Felix Casa del Valle. Grandchildren are Asa James, 1, and another boy expected in August to son Juan and his wife, Heather.
Who modeled for you what a mother should be?
My mother, who passed away last year at the age of 84. She was a language arts teacher for 40 years and never missed a day at work. Her work ethic and character are her best legacy.
What is your source of energy?
Children learn by example. A good sense of humor can accomplish many things.
Which of your physical or personality traits do you see in your children? Juan has a commitment to serve others. Felix has people skills. He’s a natural at encouraging, caring, and communicating.
What questions do you wish you could ask your mother?
My mother was a great cook but never had written recipes. So if I could, I would ask her to detail one more time hot to cook a few things. I would love to tell her how blessed I was for having a strong teacher like her in my life. I would like her to meet my grandchildren.
What advice would you offer for younger mothers?
Communication and trust are the most important tools while working with children. Instilling a sense of worth in every child will help develop a self-esteem and appreciation, and both produce a foundation for success. Any time there is a setback in their lives, share about your own mistakes and how you learned from them.
What has been the biggest bragging right and success story so far of motherhood?
My children’s path in faith and their caring values. They are both true servants.
What makes a special Mother’s Day? Having all of my children at home partaking in one of my mother’s classic recipes— Imperial Rice.
My faith in Christ
Dr. Dottie Willis from JCPS in 2007, and for the past nine years has served as a tenured professor at Bellarmine University, helping guide teachers who are pursuing their master’s degrees. In 2016, the Kentucky Council of Teachers of English (KCTE) honored her as the College Teacher of the Year.
Hometown Nashville, Tennessee
Family In 1968, this mother of three started teaching middle school in Nashville. She is a highly decorated public school and collegiate educator, receiving the third-ever Excellence in Excellence in Classroom and Educational Leadership (ExCEL) Award in 1990. She retired
I have been married almost 48 years to Robert Wayne Willis, my Virgo soulmate. Our three sons are Damon, Justin, and Carden Willis. I have six beautiful grandchildren: Jackson, Gracelynn, Wyatt, Clark, Campbell, and Abilene Willis.
Who modeled for you what a mother should be?
My mom, Grace Lynn Jones, epitomized the best qualities of motherhood. Supporting her children 100 + percent in everything we did, she served as PTA president, room mother, volunteer extraordinaire. Once, when I asked my mother how I could ever repay all the sacrifices that she had made for me, she responded, “Just love your children the way that I love you.” She set a high benchmark for mothering.
What is your source of energy?
I drink lots of TaB, a caffeine-loaded diet soda introduced in 1963, which is always stocked in my fridge at home and at school. After more
than four decades in the classroom, I also am still energized by teaching. Students in my education courses at Bellarmine University often observe that I “teach like my hair’s on fire.”
What is one thing that you know you did right as a young mother?
I can far more easily point out many things I know that I did wrong as both a young and now as a veteran mother. One thing that I did right as a young mother though was nursing all three of my sons. Benefits of nursing were not appreciated or supported when my boys were infants, but I am so grateful that I persisted and enjoyed that precious bonding time as a nursing mother.
What is one thing you know to be true about motherhood? Motherhood—like love—never ends. My nest may be empty now that my children are adults, but my heart is just as full or even fuller. The Willis circle has multiplied from two to fourteen members, so I never stop thinking about my sons and each member of the families that they have created. When one of them is happy, I feel happy. When one of them hurts or is hurt, I hurt too.
Which of your physical or personality traits do you see in your children?
In all three of my sons, I can see the strong work ethic that my father, Charles Jones, passed
down to me. They are also avid readers and talented writers, each one possessing a love of language that both their dad and I share.
What question do you wish you could ask your mother?
I wish that I could see my mother once again on Mother’s Day. I would hug her tightly, tell her that I miss her every single day, and then I would ask, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero?”
What advice would you offer for younger mothers?
My own mother had the wisdom not to offer me advice. She just listened. I would hope to listen as well and reassure a mother in the throes of growing pains with her children that she is not alone. We both belong to a huge sisterhood trying to do as well as possible a mission impossible, motherhood.
What has been the biggest motherhood success story so far?
The biggest success story of motherhood is being promoted to Granna! I delight in the joys of grandmother-hood and watching my three sons do such a wonderful job of parenting the next generation of Willises.
What makes a special Mother’s Day?
A special Mother’s Day is receiving a greeting card with a tender handwritten message penned by my son. I treasure this thoughtful gift.
Hermina L.Waddell-Roberts What is your source of energy? My unwavering faith and knowing I’ve been given the precious gift of my motherhood to provide for the well being of my children.
What is one thing that you know to be true about motherhood?
This mother is an occupational and physical therapy instructional assistant with the JCPS ECE Department. “I’m a mother to two of the most absolutely loving, intelligent children who are my heartbeats. They are the reason I strive to do everything in my power to help them succeed. I feel blessed to be a mother and couldn’t imagine my life any other way!”
Hometown
Louisville, but I spent part of my childhood in Chicago.
Family
My son, Ian, is 18 and a freshman at University of Kentucky (UK), and my daughter, Mia, is 10 and in the 4th grade at Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School
Who modeled what a mother should be?
That would have to be my grandmother, Eva Waddell. She was the glue that held our entire family together. She was the family matriarch. She believed in family and her unwavering faith in God always sustained her. Her unconditional love, guidance, and understanding paved the way for me to develop into the woman and mother I constantly strive to be for myself and my children. She was definitely my role model.
Often times as mothers, we forget to take time out for ourselves because we’re so busy focusing on the needs of others. I’ve realized over the years for the sake of my family I must remain healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Sometimes that requires saying ‘no’ so I can sit still long enough to rest and rejuvenate. Motherhood is definitely the toughest job I’ve ever loved!
Which of your physical or personality traits do you see in your children?
Both of my children are very caring with huge hearts. I especially notice this in them when it comes to how they treat others who are differently abled. Both were raised with an uncle with Down Syndrome. They were always taught to treat people the way they wanted to be treated. I’ve worked in the ECE program for years in JCPS, so this especially warms my heart as a parent to see my children develop an understanding of how important it is to respect the differences in others. They each have very strong, distinct personalities. Not sure whether I can take the credit for that or not.
What question do you wish you could ask?
I wish I could ask my grandmother how she made motherhood look so simple? I know it wasn’t always easy but looking back over the years she somehow managed to be a wife, mother, raise a family, be a business owner, and the best grandmother a child could ever have. I'm always amazed at how fortunate we were to have her with us until she passed at the age of 92. Hers was a life well lived and the nickname she was given of ‘wise one’ was very fitting. She always knew just what to do or what advice to offer in
any given situation. I know my own mother will be missing my grandmother this Mother’s Day so I want to wish her a day filled with love from her children and grandchildren both near and far. This day always comes with a bit of sadness as well as joy.
What advice would you offer for younger mothers?
I was 29 when I became a mother so I had plenty of time to enjoy my years in college and start working full time. I had been on my job 10 years when my son was born. I chose to stay home with him after his birth so I could enjoy being a new mother. I was fortunate that my grandmother was still living and able to help me navigate this scary new experience. It’s so important to have the support of your loved ones as a new parent. I learned rather quickly not to be afraid to ask questions and to ask for help when I needed it most. The middle school years were the most challenging by far for my son and I. The transition from elementary to middle school meant I had to develop new relationships with the administration and staff to ensure my son's continued success. Developing relationships is very important! Being proactive rather than reactive goes a long way in ensuring the success of your child. Allowing my child to always learn from his mistakes rather than trying to fix every problem for him has aided in his remaining accountable for his actions. Always set the bar high for your children, and challenge them to be their best. There will be disappointments and setbacks along the way, but they only serve to strengthen your resolve as a parent. Watching children become independent and take flight into adulthood is one of the most rewarding parenting goals I’ve experienced to date. It makes all those years of band
practices, traveling to football games in the sweltering heat or bitter cold, years of daylong wrestling tournaments in stinky gyms, last-minute prom tuxedo rentals, and terrifying driving lessons all seem worthwhile in the end. In reality, it all goes by so incredibly fast so you have to live in the moment and always be present with your children even, in the quiet times.
What has been the biggest bragging right so far?
Watching my firstborn child graduate high school with honors, complete his first year of college at UK with honors, and becoming the young man he’s destined to be! I couldn't be more proud of my son. Granted, my daughter is a high achiever as well. I have enjoyed watching her step out of her comfort zone to excel academically, athletically, and musically. Each child has their own gifts, so watching them realize what those are fills me with the utmost joy as a mother. I don’t brag on my children, but I certainly do celebrate them!
What makes a special Mother’s Day?
Having both of my children home to spend the day with me