Believe it or not I have returned to Freedom Public Schools this 2017-2018 school year to be the full time Librarian.  Only a few might remember that I began my teaching career here over 25 years ago as the English teacher and Librarian.  I am excited to be back here in the library and doing what I really enjoy.  I love reading aloud books to the students in the elementary grades.  I also get to show them some new and exciting stories online using the Promethian technology we have here at Freedom School. I also see the junior high and high school students often in the computer lab writing papers and doing research.  It is rewarding to help put resources in their hands that will help them become more skilled in the information and media literacy age. 

I recently worked for USD220 in Ashland, Kansas for 17 years as a librarian and full time substitute teacher.  Six years during the middle of that time I shared my time between Ashland and Bucklin school districts.  I was responsible for both libraries and instructed students in scheduled library class times.  I worked with reading programs such as Accelerated Reader and Reading Counts.  I really enjoyed getting to know all the students in both places.  It was only possible to maintain both libraries because I worked closely with great library aids.  

Now here at Freedom I really appreciate the time I can spend helping students and teachers.  I hope I can be the person anybody can go to for information.  If I don’t know the answer I will search for it.  There are so many resources available to us through all our media sites and resources.  I truly believe I am back here at Freedom for a reason and purpose in educating our young people today so they can be successful in their future.  

I have two children, Kirt Province age 39, and Kaylyn Province age 28.  Kirt is married and lives in Woodward, OK.  He has four children, Autry and Brody and a little girl JoLee Grace who is now 5 years old, and now Coby James who just turned 6 months. Autry is a Freshman in HS now and Brody is in eighth grade.  They love sports and participate in  football, basketball, and baseball.  They also love to go hunting with their dad. They have both killed big bucks the last couple of years  

Kaylyn is married to Brandy Shumate and they live in Minneola, Kansas.  I am proud to say she is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assisstant (COTA).  She is working  part time as needed at two different facilities in Liberal, Kansas and one in Dodge City, KS.  I am always glad to hear about the things she is doing with the residents there.  

Pets?  Yes I have cats, too many.  Dotty and Jazzy stay in the house and entertain us, lol.  There are lots outside and would love to give some away if anybody needs some. 

I love the outdoors and enjoy working on the ranch since I moved back.  I like to fish and play golf if I ever get a chance.  Of course I love reading.  I like young people’s books more these days.  Since I’m kind of a crazy cat lady, I like Pete the Cat books and especially Skippyjon Jones books.  In adult books I like to read stories about the Holocaust.  I just read one we kept from the Book Fair called The Resistance.