Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
“The Alpha Tau Talk”
“Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide,
Honor, Learn, Lead through DKG
2020-2022 International Theme
www.dkg.org –International www.dkgmissouri.com –State
Myrna Walker—Newsletter Editor
mailto: myrnaLwalker@gmail.com
Karen’s Korner
As I look toward the end of my biennium and toward
the future of Alpha Tau, I am looking forward with
“warm courage and high hopes”. The veteran FACS
teachers and some students will recognize that phrase.
But, that captures my feelings.
At our February meeting, we voted to create a new
grant for Early Educators and expand our Grants-in-Aid.
There will be more information about this in another
section of the newsletter. Also, in a conversation with a
co-worker today about our meeting last Saturday, I
secured a new prospective member! As the Covid
pandemic continued, my hope just became for us to
maintain and keep functioning. Even though
attendance is down, and technology fails us at times,
you have all remained steadfast and devoted to our
purposes.
I truly enjoy and value learning. This term as
president has definitely allowed me many opportunities
to learn. I also value the courage and fortitude of our
active teachers in this strangest of times. We have been
forced to be flexible, adapt to new situations, overcome
obstacles, and rise to the challenge. Some have decided
to take on new challenges and change paths. Being able
to move forward, in a different direction, also takes
courage. Each individual will have their own story to tell
of this time in our lives.
Support for each other as we attempt to move past this
will benefit all as we promote the value of education and
the importance of each individual experience. Thank you
for this opportunity to grow personally and professionally.
I often think, “how can I serve?” I will admit that this expe-
rience brought some anxiety and self-doubt at times. Many
years ago, a fellow teacher (Becky Legan, Alpha Tau reserve
member) began teaching her students a poem called
“Believe in Yourself’. Her students memorized it and when
(cont. on p. 7)
Volume 5, Issue 4
Spring, 2022, p. 1
Next Meeting Information
Our next Alpha Tau meeting will be Saturday,
April 9, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Karen’s house—1330 Meadow Lane,
Bolivar, and by Google Meet
Meal: $5 for breakfast casserole, biscuits and
gravy, fruit, and coffee
Program: The focus will be on mental health,
and our presenter will be our 1st VP, Karla Spear!
*Our new Alpha Tau officers will be installed;
see who they are on p. 2 of this newsletter.
*This will also be our Project Honor meeting—
invite a first or second year teacher as your
guest!
*Please bring anything that will fit in a flat
envelope as a gift for our adopted World
Fellowship student. We will send it off together
as a gift while she is at school for her masters at
Ohio State University. Think gift cards, cards of
encouragement, post-it notes, pens, highlighters,
notecards, and educational stuff! See page 2 for
more information about her.
*Please reply that you ARE or ARE NOT
coming by Wednesday, April 6th to Karla Spear
at spearkarla@gmail.com .
IN THIS ISSUE
President’s Message---------------------------- p. 1
Next Meeting Information -------------------- p. 1
Previous Meeting Information ---------------p. 2
Alpha Tau’s Officers---------------------------- p. 2
Officers for 2022-2024-------------------------p. 2
Our Adopted World Fellowship Recipient--p. 2
Sister Personal/Professional News -------- p. 3
Spotlight on Education ------------------------ p. 3
Upcoming Conferences ------------------------p. 4
Legal Brief ----------------------------------------p. 4
Supporting Early Career Educators--------- p. 4
Sister Chat-----------------------------------------p. 5
Where Are We Going?--------------------------p. 6
We Have Been Sick ---------------------------- p. 6
Area Conference Reg. Form ------------------p. 7
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Alpha Tau Talk
Spring, 2022 p. 2
Alpha Tau Officers for 2020-2022
President—Karen Gorden
First Vice-President—Karla Spear
Second Vice-President—Kay Otterness
Secretary—Sarah Oglesbee
Treasurer—Cay Sergent
Parliamentarian—Debra Agee
Immediate Past President—Myrna Walker
New Alpha Tau Officers for 2022-2024!
President—Jessie Gray
1 Vice President---Jessie Sergent
st
2nd Vice President—Kay Otterness
Secretary—Debbie Agee
Treasurer—Cay Sergent
Parliamentarian—TBD
Immediate Past President—Karen Gorden
OUR ADOPTED WORLD FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT
The Missouri State World Fellowship Committee
is requesting that each chapter adopt one of the
International World Fellowship Recipients. We are
to write letters of encouragement, send non-
religious holiday cards, birthday cards, send gift
cards, and even include info about our chapter. Our
adopted recipient is:
Ni Komang Darmini
639 Riverview Dr., Apt 10
Columbus, OH 43202
Email: nikomangdarmini108@gmail.com
Birthday: August 16
Attending Ohio State Univ for MS of Arts in Educ
Something you need to know?
Look it up at alphataumo.weebly.com
The password for our yearbook under
Resources is dkgalphatau
If You Missed the February Meeting . . .
Karen Gorden called the meeting to order after
members enjoyed a continental breakfast prepared by
President Karen Gorden. Karla Spear led the Pledge of
Allegiance. Singing Grace was led by Myrna Walker.
Karen Gorden welcomed the 9 members in attendance
and 3 on Google Meet.
Karen read the minutes of the November meeting.
Cay Sergent made one correction. Jessie Sergent was
also on a State Committee. Laurie Whitlock moved to
accept the minutes as corrected, it was seconded and
passed.
Cay reported $4518.30 in Available Funds,
$1982.23 in the Grant-in-Aid Account and $2919.38 in
the Scholarship Account. The Treasurer's report was
approved as read.
Karla Spear moved that we donate $50 to World
Fellowship from Available Funds. It was seconded
and passed.
Karla Spear presented a slate of officers for 2022-
2024. Faye Peters moved to accept the slate of
officers as presented. Motion was seconded and
passed. Cay will continue to serve in her appointed
position as treasurer.
Cay announced that several of our members also
are serving in State/International positions. Karen
reported several illnesses within the membership and
their families.
Debra Agee moved to allow Women Educators
who are not relatives of Alpha Tau members to apply
for Grants-in-Aid. The criteria for selection will be
based upon the relationship of the applicant to
membership as currently outlined in the bylaws with
non-related applicants receiving the award should
there be no related applicants. Non-related applicants
must attend the April meeting to receive their award.
Motion was seconded and passed.
Debra Agee moved to transfer $1000 seed money
from the Available Funds account to create a new
Early Educator Grant. The Early Educator Grant would
provide stipends to Early Educators in the first five
years of their teaching career to fund projects and
other career related expenses. The Scholarship
Committee was tasked with determining the
application process and criteria/rubric for selection.
They will submit that to the chapter for an online vote.
Applicants must attend the April meeting to receive
their award. Motion was seconded and passed.
(cont. on p . 6)
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Alpha Tau Talk
Spring, 2022, p. 3
SISTER FUN NEWS
*Debbie Agee proudly announces that she
is about to get her basement cleaned! This has
been on her To Do List since she retired 14
years ago. Many of us retirees know exactly
how she feels. This author has not even
unpacked her work bag, and she retired 5 years
ago!
*Laurie Whitlock is the proud owner of 2
new knees—well, replaced ones, anyway. She
is so happy that she can walk again and
hopefully get back to traveling!
Congratulations, Laurie!
*Karla Spear says she is now a chauffeur—
to her husband to his work, and her pay is
coffee! He is now the IT Director at Climax
Springs!
*Rhonda Agee’s son, Kody, graduated in
December from MSU with a B.S. in Natural
Science, and he is working for the Department
of Soil and Water Conservation as a District
Field Representative. How awesome is that?!
*Joann Brown’s 1st granddaughter was
born on the 9th of February!! They are still
trying to get her down from the clouds! This
makes her 4th grandbaby, but her 1st
granddaughter!!! She has a 4 year old, a 2 year
old, and now two 1 year olds!!
Sister Professional News
*Rhonda Agee took her students to FBLA-
District Leadership Conference and she had one
State qualifier and several top-ten finishers.
Wow!! Congratulations to Rhonda and her
awesome students!!!
If you want to get into Missouri State’s website,
(www.dkgmissouri.com), you must use your
membership number as your username and
DKG2014society as the password for the first
time. After that you can personalize it. If you
do not know your membership number, ask Cay
or Karen. There are many helpful resources on
the website!
Spotlight on Education
Education High on 2022 MO Legislation Agenda
A subject index of pre-filed 2022 bills in the Missouri
House shows K-12 education is the most popular topic, with
crime/punishment coming in second. Specifically, these are
the topics being discussed by the bills:
Critical race theory and ‘divisive concepts’—at least
12 bills want to regulate the teaching of controversial topics
(racism, sexism, LGBTQ-related content,). This includes how
slavery and contributions of Black Americans are central to
understanding US history.
Some bills explicitly forbid schools from teaching critical
race theory or that people are responsible for actions
committed in the past by those of the same race or sex, or
that people are unconsciously biased solely because of their
race or sex.
School curriculum—some bills would allow or require
districts to add courses on specific topics, like: 9/11,
computer science, responsible use of social media, Hebrew
scriptures and the New Testament, Native American and
Black history, Criminal justice, the Holocaust, LGBTQ
contributions to society, Civil rights, and Insurance
licensing. Other proposals add more scrutiny to school
curriculum, and one would require school boards to review
the curriculum each year.
Covid restrictions—several bills want to prevent
schools from issuing masks or vaccine mandates. Schools
could require students to test or quarantine only if they
have tested positive or have symptoms. One representative
wants to include “conscientious” objection as an exception
to all school vaccine requirements in his bill. Parents can
receive exemptions now for religious or medical reasons.
Parental rights—bills have been filed called a “Parents’
Bill of Rights.” These include parents’ rights to direct health
decisions, access health and mental health records, access
educational materials and curriculum, consent to recordings
of biometric information, and be informed of investigations.
They also state that districts should make information
available about activities and clubs, school choice
opportunities, vaccines, and special education
opportunities. Some bills say parents have the right to
object to course material and to visit their children at
school.
(cont. on p. 5)
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Alpha Tau Talk
Spring, 2022, p. 4
Legal Brief
MAJOR ISSUES IN EDUCATION
For the past several issues, we have been
discussing the major legal challenges facing
education, according to Crystal Lee, author and
researcher. We have previously discussed
government funding , school safety, discipline,
technology, vouchers, the common core,
standardized testing, teacher salaries, and the
teaching of evolution.
Teacher tenure, of course, means that a
teacher cannot be fired unless the school district
shows “just cause”. Tenure can be granted to
those who receive satisfactory evaluations from 1
to 5 years, depending on the state. A few states do
not grant tenure, and this issue has long been
controversial.
Pros for tenure are: it protects teachers from
being dismissed for personal or political reasons,
educators can advocate for students without fear
of punishment, it gives teachers freedom to try
innovative instructional methods, and it also
protects more experienced AND more expensive
teachers from being replaced with new teachers
who earn lower salaries.
Cons for tenure include that it makes it
difficult to dismiss ineffective teachers because
going through the legal process is very costly and
time-consuming, it can encourage complacency
since teachers’ jobs are “too” secure no matter
what kind of job they do. While granting of
tenure is determined by teacher evaluations,
more than 99% of teachers receive ratings of
satisfactory or better. Some administrators say
they are reluctant to give low ratings because of
the time and effort required to document
performance and provide support for
improvement.
Bullying continues to be a major issue in
schools. According to a National Center for
Educational Statistics study, 21% of students in
grades 6-12 reported being bullied going to or
from school in 2015. The same study showed that
the percentage of students who said they were
bullied almost every day dropped from 7% in
2007 to 4% in 2015.
More good news was that the percentage
increased from 36% to 43% as to reporting
(cont. in the next column)
Upcoming Conferences:
**Future International Conventions
July 12-16, 2022--New Orleans, LA
2024--National Harbor, MD (Gaylord National, D.C.)
2026--Aurora, CO (Gaylord Rockies)
**SW Area Conference Apr. 22-23, 2022
Registration and $20 fee due by April 8
(see registration form on the last page)
Major Issues in Education-
(cont. from previous column)
bullying to an adult over that same period. But that still
means that almost 60% of students are NOT reporting
bullying.
Although every state has anti-bullying legislation in
place, there are differences in how each state defines
bullying and what procedures are required when bullying
is reported. Only about 1/3 of states call for schools to
include support services like counseling for victims or
even the bullies. Bullied students often feel angry,
anxious, lonely and helpless. They are often scared to go
to school, which causes them to suffer academically and
develop low self-worth. They are also at greater risk of
engaging in violence or suicidal behavior.
Major Issues in Education: 20 Hot Topics (Covering Every
Level) (trade-schools.net)
Supporting Early-Career Educators—Do We SEE?
SEE is one of the 3 international projects of DKG, along
with World Fellowship and Schools for Africa. It is
designed to encourage and support teachers in the first
five years of their career.
Why? Because retaining quality teachers is becoming
extremely challenging. The rate in the US of beginning
teachers leaving our profession in the first year is about
10%, with 33% leaving by year 3 and 46% leaving by
their 5th year. And this statistic was before Covid hit!
Has it ever occurred to you that as much is expected of
a new teacher on the first day of school as is expected of a
30 year veteran teacher? So teachers supporting teachers
is crucial! Missouri ranks about 49th in the country in
starting teacher pay. We must do everything we can to
encourage our teachers to stay in the profession.
We must SEE ways to help—by giving emotional
support (Survival Kits, gift cards), offering advice
(Teaching Tips, websites), providing help (volunteering,
adopting), assisting with expenses (stipends), and
celebrating successes (honoring with awards).
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Spring, 2022, p. 5
Spotlight on Education
(cont. from p. 3)
Expanding school choice—typically viewed as
expanding charter schools and making it easier to
choose homeschooling, virtual schools or private
schools. Opponents often argue this choice may
harm traditional public schools, but several bills
would give parents the power to decide whether
their children can enroll in Missouri’s virtual course as well. After earning her bachelors, she worked at SBU
access program.
One bill would expand charter schools to
anywhere in Missouri’s charter counties instead of
just KC and St. Louis school districts, as they are
allowed now. Others would adjust how charter
schools are funded, while others would allow
students to attend public schools outside their
district, under certain circumstances.
One bill would even offer a refundable tax credit
to parents who pay tuition at a private school or at
a public school outside their district. So there are
many proposals to expand school choice.
School board oversight—these would give
parents more control over school board members.
Some would establish a procedure for voters to
recall school board members and one would allow
registered voters to petition to place items on the
board agenda.
School attendance—these range from: to
reduce public benefits for families if their children
have poor school attendance, to expand the age
range for children to attend school, to change the
starting age of attending school to 5, and finally to
require students to attend school until the age of 18 Classroom Presentation for a meeting program. She
unless they complete high school earlier or unless
they have a full time job.
Teacher shortages—to fill slots in high-
demand areas, bills are proposed to adjust salary
plans to provide incentives for teachers in hard-to-
staff subjects or schools. This bill would go against
the single salary schedule. Teachers would also be
allowed to return from retirement for up to 2 years
without affecting their benefits, as long as there
was a shortage of certified teachers in the district.
Suspensions/Expulsions—a bill is proposed to
require extensive record-keeping on school
discipline that takes students out of the classroom
or forbid schools from expelling students in K-3rd
grade
Missouri legislature files over 120 bills on K-12
education – The Beacon
Sister Chat
In each issue of The Alpha Tau Talk we highlight a
member. This time we highlight Rhonda Agee, our
nominee for this year’s Key Woman Educator! Rhonda is
a young 49 years old and lives in Halfway. She has
taught for 19 years—14 at Halfway and 5 at SBU!
She has a BS in Business Ad and a Masters in
Administration, plus she almost has an MS in Education
as an Administrative Assistant in the College of Business
and then as the Director of the MBA program. She also
taught a couple of classes as an adjunct instructor at
that time.
She left SBU to work as the Office Manager for
Sterling Investment Advisors, then returned to SBU to
be a full-time Instructor in the College of Business. But
when she learned the Business teacher position at
Halfway was open and she could get her teaching
certificate at the same time (that’s why she “almost” has
an MS ED), Rhonda became the Business teacher at
Halfway in August of 2008, and she is still there!
Her responsibilities over the years have included
Computer Applications, Business Technology,
Multimedia, Desktop Publishing, Accounting, Personal
Finance, Intro to Business, and Jr Hi Keyboarding. If
that is not enough, she also sponsors FBLA (grades 6
through 12!) is the Yearbook Adviser, serves as an in-
house Tech Assistant, and is often the clock or
bookkeeper at athletic events! Oh, my!
Rhonda joined Alpha Tau 4 years ago and has been
on the Communications, Professional Affairs, and
Webmaster Committees, and co-hosted a Google
says one thing that is different in DKG now than when
(cont. on p. 7)
Rhonda
Agee
Bus. Tch.
FBLA Sponsor
Yearbook Adv.
Wife
Mom
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Spring, 2022, p. 6
Where in the World are We Going?
Do you want to know where your Alpha Tau
sisters are traveling this year?
*Bob and Evonne Miner will be visiting Ireland
during St. Patrick’s Day in March! How cool is that!
May the road rise up to meet them!
*Myrna Walker and traveling buddies are going
to Terceira, an island of the Azores, smack dab in the
middle of the Atlantic, at the end of May. It is called
the “Hawaii of the Atlantic.” THEN, at the beginning
of September, they are doing an 11-day land and sea
cruise to Alaska!
*Dale and Rhonda Agee are planning an
anniversary trip somewhere—maybe diamond
digging, like they did last anniversary! But she and
daughter Madison are definitely going on their bi-
annual international Agricultural Field Trip—this
time to Italy/Europe in June!! It was supposed to be
to Australia, but travel restrictions struck!
*Karla Spear and hubby are still considering
destinations, but here is the short list: a trip to
Orlando with daughter and son-in-law, a road trip to
one of the Great Lakes and/or Niagara Falls, and a
road trip to Montana. Husband has already said that
numerous days of crappie fishing and catfishing will
being in April, and Karla will join him periodically
(maybe). Ha!
For some not traveling this year due to financial,
time, covid, or other reasons, here is a bucket list
for the future:
*Karen Gorden: a train tour across Canada,
Disney World with the grandkids, and Sanibel Island
What about the rest of you? Still dreaming?
DKG’s EMERGENCY FUND
Did you know that DKG has an emergency fund
for members that sustain major losses from floods,
tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and
other natural disasters? Members may be
nominated by their chapter or state organizations
presidents to receive $500 from the fund.
This fund was started following a 1948 flood that
destroyed Vanport, Oregon. It demonstrates the
Society’s “genuine spiritual fellowship,”
Members can donate to the fund by sending in a
check made out to DKG Emergency Fund, or by
credit card on the Society website.
We Have Been Sick!
Several of our sisters have been sick lately! It has
been a hard winter!
*As mentioned previously, Laurie Whitlock has
had both knees replaced.
*Rose Mary Owens has been extremely ill. Her
surgeon told her that she is a miracle because she
coded six times while she was ill. BUT she says God is
good and prayers have been answered. About the
middle of December she began responding to therapy
in a way they did not think possible, and she is
scheduled to return to her home at The Montclair at
the beginning of March from rehabilitation at The
Maples in Springfield. She says that she is improving
daily. She is still in need of a wheelchair, but her
therapist think there is a chance she may walk again.
She says that most call this a miracle, including the
doctor performing her last surgery. Rose Mary is our
only living charter member, we believe. If you would
like to send her a card, here is her address at The
Maples: Rose Mary Owens
1000 E Montclair Apt 328
Springfield, MO 65807
*Magda Neill developed heart blockages in three
of her arteries and had to have four stents put in just
this month. She is doing well after the procedure.
*Janet Locke has to have a valve replacement, but
she also fell and broke her shoulder! This was not
good timing!
*Myrna Walker had to have two kidney surgeries
last year due to a stubborn kidney stone, but evidently
that has caused kidney damage in her left kidney,
leaving it with only 13% functionality. She is still in-
progress with this problem.
*Marinell Andrew’s husband passed away, and
we send our deepest sympathy to her in this great
loss.
If You Missed the February Meeting cont. from p. 2
Rhonda Agee was selected to be our Key Woman
Educator. Cay announced the SW Area Conference will
be held April 22 and 23 at the National Avenue
Christian Church in Springfield. Karen will send out
more information.
Jessie Gray, a first grade teacher at Pleasant Hope,
presented information on Pleasant Hope, Pleasant Hope
schools, and the literacy program she is using called
Secret Stories by Katie Garner, followed by a tour of the
elementary school. Meeting adjourned.
(Debra Agee, Sub Secretary, edited by Myrna Walker)
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Spring, 2022, p. 7

ALPHA TAU MEMBERS ARE INVOLVED! Karen’s Korner cont. from p. 1

Someone mentioned at our February meeting that for they came to my room, I continued to have them
a small chapter we have a lot of members that are repeat the poem from time to time. The words of
involved in state offices or committees, now or in the that poem carry me through some times of doubt
past! That is something to be proud of, Alpha Tau sisters! and angst. I encourage you to continue to look at
Just take a look: yourselves with a “can do” attitude and follow your
Past State Presidents: Faye Peters, Cay Sergent calling and your dreams.
Current State 1st VP: Myrna Walker Karen Gorden, President
International Membership Committee: Cay Sergent
State Communication Committee: Cay and Jessie Sergent Believe in Yourself
Finance Committee: Cay Sergent, Myrna Walker Believe in yourself and in your dream
Educational Excellence Committee: Myrna Walker Sweeping obstacles away
Research Committee: Jenny Griffith Though impossible things may seem.
Advisory Committee: Faye Peters, Cay Sergent Believe in yourself and in your plan.
Someday, somehow, you’ll get through
Sister Chat (cont. from p. 5) Say not—I cannot—but, I can
joined is how we have to adapt to our ever-changing , To the goal you have in view.
online/virtual world with the pandemic. Isn’t that the The prizes of life we fail to win
truth! Mountains fall and seas divide
One thing that is different in education from when she Because we doubt the power within
stated teaching 19 years ago is, again, how much more Before the one who in his stride
prevalent online and virtual education has become. She Takes a hard road day by day.
illustrates by saying, “My daughter will graduate from Anonymous
college in 3 years as opposed to the typical 4 because of
the availability of online/dual credit classes.”
Rhonda will have been married to her husband Dale
for 28 years in May, and they have two children—a son
Kody (22), and a daughter Madison (20). In Rhonda’s
spare time (when does she find that?), she likes to travel,
read, watch Netflix, as well as do jigsaw puzzles.
When asked if she would still choose teaching as a
career if she had it all to do over again, Rhonda says, “Yes,
as I love working with the students and helping them
achieve their full potential. I would not change my path to
get there (did not major in education in college) as I think
my positions and experiences prior to teaching at the high
school level helped make me a better educator.”
We are proud of our Key Woman Educator and happy
that she chose education as her career as well!!

“Be the person who breaks the cycle. If you were judged,
choose understanding. If you were rejected, choose
acceptance. If you were shamed, choose compassion. Be
the person you needed when you were hurting, not the
person who hurt you. Vow to be better than what broke
you—to heal instead of becoming bitter so you can act from
your heart, not your pain.”
Lori Deschene