I was born on the 12th day of December in 1968, in Indianola, Mississippi.

I lived
with my parents Rosetta and Arthur Newton and my two sisters Pamela and Paula, until
my parents separated when I was three. From 1973-1974, I gained two more siblings, a
sister (Julie) who was born in Kissimmee, Florida and my brother (Tony) who was born
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is where I grew up and attended
kindergarten.
My family and I moved quite a lot during my toddler to adolescent years, which
greatly influenced my views about me and others. During those years of moving from
state to state, I learned that some teachers had a passion for teaching and some did not
care. I was one of those kids who teachers felt it took too long to understand the concept
and many teachers didnt have the patience. I was very curious as a child often over
thinking things and not feeling like I could understand the concept I was taught.
As I think back on my childhood education, some teachers did try different ways
of teaching while others didnt feel the need to go the extra mile. This played a major
role in my self-esteem and ability to achieve good grades and attend school each day. In
1984, I started high school at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts; academics were not
high on my list. It always felt like I was missing something when the teacher explained
the lesson and it took me a minute to understand the concept. Towards the end of my
senior year in high school, a light bulb went on for me. I was determined to keep a 3.0
grade point average and focus more on my academics. When I graduated from high
school in 1988, I studied to be an administrative assistant at Milwaukee Area Technical
College. In 1995, I graduated from college with an associates degree, and after
graduating I worked a part time job for Channel 10/36 Friends, but I soon ventured on for
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a higher paying job.

In 1997, a permanent position came available at the Social Development
Commission; it provided me with the opportunity to obtain my Bachelors in Human
Service in 2005 from Springfield College and a Masters in Management in 2010 from
Cardinal Stritch University.
During my 14 years at the Social Development Commission, I continued to
advance while working with children, teaching other adults, achieving job promotions
and focusing on my motherly duties. This allowed me to put myself in a position to assist
families with children. This job also gave me some fulfillment in knowing I worked with
teachers who cared about what students were learning as well as going that extra mile to
assist them. Currently, any children I come in contact with today I will put forth an effort
to making sure they are equipped with the academic tools they need to fulfill their goals.
As a single parent, I was determined to keep my children and myself from being
consumed by the bad things which were happening within the community. I have been
involved with different activities (Boys and Girls club and YMCA) within my community
for over 33 years and realize that it takes a village to accomplish some goals.
I currently work as the Assistant Child Care Director at Penfield Childrens
Center. I love reading my bible, attending Sunday school classes and spending time with
friends and family. As I think about my past experience within the community and my
life, I reflect on my present obligations to my community by keeping a clear prospective
of not taking things for granted and assisting others in a positive pathway to fulfill their
goals.