Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
“The Alpha Tau Talk”
“Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide”
2022-2024 International Theme
www.dkg.org –International
Myrna Walker—Newsletter Editor Alpha Tau Facebook: Alpha Tau MO of DKG
mailto: myrnaLwalker@gmail.com
Jessie’s Journey
Wow! Can you believe we have made it to
summer! This year is absolutely flying by
already. Teachers know how much summer is needed
to rest, relax, and rejuvenate for the upcoming
year. The journey that was this school year has ended
with a change in positions within my building (hello,
title reading), some new training on the docket for
this summer in preparation, and I am currently
teaching K-1 summer school (talk about an
ADVENTURE)!!
This summer I plan to add reading to my list of
things on my summer “bucket list”, and thought I
would research and share a list of must reads for this
summer! I hope you have a wonderful summer full of
travel, relaxation, family, and sun!
Without further ado here is a list of great reads to
add to your summer reading list. (Bolded items are on
my MUST read):
Fiction:
• Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
• One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
• All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
• Happy Place by Emily Henry
Non-Fiction:
• Visual Thinking by Temple Gradin
• Saving Time by Jenny Odell
• The Power of One More by Ed Mylett
Teacher Focused:
• The Creative Cure by Jacob Nordby
• The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan
• Don’t Just Survive, Thrive by SaraJane Herrboldt
• The Teachers by Alexandra Robbins
• Look Me In The Eye by John Elder Robison
Happy Reading!
Jessie
Volume 7 Issue 1 Summer, 2023 p. 1
dkgmissouri.org–State
MO State Facebook: DKG Missouri
Next Meeting Information
Our next Alpha Tau meeting will be Saturday,
September 16, 2023, at 9:30 a.m.
Location: CMH Community Room #1
Meal: $9
Program: Zooming with International First VP
Connie Rensink on the topic “Leadership and
DKG”
Heads up—be thinking about your baskets for
November Raffle; turn in titles of baskets by Oct.
10th to Pres. Jessie
Note: CMH will no longer be our host after the
September meeting due to their building project,
so stay tuned for location announcements for
November and spring meetings.
Something you need to know?
Look it up at alphataumo.weebly.com
The password for our yearbook under
Resources is dkgalphatau
IN THIS ISSUE
President’s Message---------------------------- p. 1
Next Meeting Information -------------------- p. 1
Previous Meeting Minutes ---- --------------- p. 2
Alpha Tau’s Officers---------------------------- p. 2
Dates to Remember ----------------------------p. 2
Awards Given at Convention -----------------p. 2
Scholarships and Grants Awarded ----------p. 3
Upcoming Conferences ------------------------p. 4
Legal Brief ----------------------------------------p. 4
Humanities Project at State-------------------p. 4
Sister Fun News---------------------------------p. 5
Sister Chat----------------------------------------p. 5
Symbols of DKG-- ------------------------------ p. 6
Sister Professional News----------------------p. 6
Pictures from 85th State Convention--------p. 8-9
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Alpha Tau Talk
Summer, 2023 p. 2
Alpha Tau Officers for 2022-2024
President—Jessica Gray
First Vice-President—Jessica Sergent
Second Vice-President—Kay Otterness
Secretary—Debra Agee
Treasurer—Cay Sergent
Parliamentarian—Rhonda Voris Agee
Immediate Past President—Karen Gorden
DATES TO REMEMBER
All DKG meetings start at 9:30 a.m.
*Sept. 16, 2023 DKG Mtg. CMH
*Oct. 10, 2023—List of Auction Basket Items Due
*Nov. 4, 2023 DKG Mtg. Location TBD
*Jan. 15—Scholarship applications due
*Feb. 10, 2024 DKG Mtg. Location TBD
Slate of officers presented and voted on
*Apr. 13, 2024 DKG Mtg. Location TBD
Awards Given at State Convention
Look at all the awards we won at State Convention!!
We should be so proud of us!! Honors Award for the
Website (because the editor misunderstood about
updating the seal), the SEE Award, the Double Rose
Award for Membership, the Four Star Chapter Achieve-
ment Award, and Highest Honors for the Newsletter!
I don’t think we realize what an HONOR it is to be
granted this many awards! Not every chapter
participates this much, and we should be very proud
indeed!
If You Missed the April Meeting . . .
President Jessica Gray called the April meeting of the
Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma to order on
April 15, 2023 at CHM Community Room 1. Members
enjoyed a brunch prepared by CMH.
The members recited the pledge of allegiance.
President Jessie Gray welcomed 15 members and 2 guests.
Karen Gorden announced this was the most in
attendance since Covid started!!
President Gray led the group in the icebreaker…Desert
Island. Minutes of the February 11, 2023 meeting were
presented by Debra Agee, Recording Secretary. JoAnn
Brown moved to accept the minutes. The motion was
seconded by Myrna Walker. Secretary’s report was
approved.
Cay Sergent presented the treasurer’s report. Laurie
Whitlock moved to accept the Treasurers Report. Motion
seconded by Bev Jenkins. Motion passed. Cay reminded
the group that dues are $60 ($10 less) if she receives them
by May 31. After that they will be $70.
Myrna Walker discussed the State Convention held
April28 and 29. Members can attend just one day.
President Jessica Gray asked for any correspondence and
old business from the group; there wasn’t any.
President Gray passed out information about the Alpha
Tau Basket Fundraiser to be held at the November
Meeting to raise money for Chapter Scholarships and
Grants. She informed the group she kept the groups the
same as last year but did include Shaundra Ingram, our
newest member. Each group will need to determine what
the theme of their basket will be and share that with
President Gray by the end of the month. It was determined
that a group could create one basket or break it into more
than one basket if they had enough donations.
Cay Sergent presented a $500 scholarship to Christa
Rowland and a $100 Early Education Classroom Grant to
Kayla Cross, a second year teacher at Halfway Schools.
Christa briefly discussed her journey in obtaining Dyslexia
certification and Kayla plans on using her grant to buy
books for her classroom.
Jessica Gray made the following announcements:
● State Convention is April 28 and 29.
● Dues ($60) need to be paid by May 31 to obtain the
$10 discount.
● Meeting dates are September 16, 2023; and
November 4, 2023.
(Cont, on p. 6)
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Alpha Tau Talk
Summer, 2023 p. 3

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS GIVEN Humanities Project for State Convention

Presentation of two important awards were a HUGE Success
given at the April meeting. Thanks to all of you for donating items for homeless, or
it turned out to be battered, women in the Columbia area
as our humanities project for State Convention! Here is
what WE donated as Alpha Tau!

Remember, we asked you to bring warm socks, hair

ties, possibly a Walmart gift card, trial sized hygiene
items—things women could use in the crisis time of their
Christa Rowland received the Alpha Tau
lives. Then, we were going to tie them up together in a
Scholarship for $500 to help with her Dyslexia
cute sock and put a sign on them that said—well, look
Certification, which she is completing this fall.
below:
She was presented the check by Cay Sergent,
Treasurer.

The sign has the DKG logo on it and then says, “A gift for
Cay also presented a check for $100 for the Early you to show that we care and we hope it knocks your socks
Educator Award to Kayla Cross, who teaches 2nd grade ON!” Well, we couldn’t put the items in the socks as
in Halfway, for decodable books. Congrats, Ladies! planned. Look on p. 4 to see why!
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Alpha Tau Talk
Summer, 2023 p. 4

LEGAL BRIEF
Upcoming Conferences:
MO Legislators’ Bills Affect Education
**2023 Conferences
As always, education is a hot topic in Jefferson
*July 11-16, Detroit, Michigan;
City because of budget concerns. Here’s what is
The Westin Book Cadillac
being talked about now as bills are making their
way through the state legislature: 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
1. Open Enrollment; This bill was narrowly $175 +TAX PER NIGHT
approved by the House and is now in the Senate. It Start Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2023
would allow students to enroll outside the school End Date: Sunday, July 16, 2023
district they live in. Up to 3% of students in any Cut Off Date: 5 p.m. EST June 20, 2023
district could leave each year. Local money would *July 18-22, Phoenix, Arizona
stay, but state and federal dollars would follow the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass
students. 5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd
2. Transgender youth: A wave of anti-trans Chandler, AZ 85226 USA
bills have been discussed this session, trying to $119 + TAX PER NIGHT
restrict LGBTQ rights. The Senate passed 2 bills Cut Off Date: June 13, 2023
barring transgender youth from receiving
supporting health care and participating in sports **Future International Conventions
that go with their gender identity. Another 2024--National Harbor, MD (Gaylord National, D.C.)
prohibits athletes from participating in a sport 2026--Aurora, CO (Gaylord Rockies)
“that is designated for the biological sex opposite to
the student’s biological sex” as state on his/her Humanities Contributions
birth certificate. at State Convention
3. Teacher pay, retention, and funding: Since Due to the generosity of the DKG women, there was
Missouri pay for teacher is near the bottom of the no way we had time to stuff the socks with all the
nation, the General Assembly approved a grant contributions!!!!! So we just organized all of the things
program to help boost pay last year, but it was and took it to North Point—a battered women’s shelter
temporary and districts still had to pay 30% of it. in Columbia! Wow! That’s a lot of stuff! Count on
So new bills address raising minimum teacher teachers to be generous! This is FOUR TABLES FULL!
salary to $38,000 and allowing districts to raise pay
scales for “hard-to-staff” subjects or “hard-to-staff”
schools. A proposed state budge would provide
$10 billion in K-12 spending, fully fund school
transportation and provide some funding for pre-K.
4. Parents’ rights: The Senate has passed a bill
relating to transparency and rights for parents, and
how race is talked about. This would create a state
database called the MO Education Transparency
and Accountability Portal. Citizens could access this
information for each school.
5. Library funding; Last month the House
passed a state budget that removed $4.5 million in
funding for public libraries. This was in reaction to
a lawsuit from the ACLU that resulted in the
removal of hundreds of books in public schools
across the state. This is still in discussion with
librarian groups and Representatives.
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Summer, 2023, p. 5
SISTER FUN NEWS
*Magda Neill says she just got home from a
week in Florida. She flew into Orlando where her
cousin, Ron picked her up and they went to his
beautiful home in The Villages. His sister,
Sandra, Magda’s only girl cousin on her mom’s side,
had driven from AL to Fl to spend the week. They of
course did a lot of talking, spending time out at Ron’s
pool, riding in the golf cart to explore, going out to
eat, and shopping a bit.
Magda explains that The Villages is a planned
retirement community for folks 55 and over. She
says it was beautiful and there were hundreds of
things to do, if you want to be involved. But she
further states that while she enjoyed the visit, she
has decided it would not be for her as she missed
seeing younger people. She thinks she will stay in
her neighborhood where she can be part of a multi-
age neighborhood!
*Evonne Miner, on the other hand, states that
she went to Cancun in May, and it was “great to go
and difficult to leave!” Here’s her picture of Cancun.
*Karla Spear is very busy playing with her new
grandson Zeke! She can’t be old enough to be a
grandma! But she seems to be very happy to be
one!!!
*Laurie Whitlock has gone to New Mexico in
May for her youngest grandson’s graduation from
high school. Then in June she is going to Kentucky to
visit The Ark and that area.
*Is it fun news that Debra Agee tells that they are
renovating their house?? It certainly will be when it
is done!!!
*Laurie Whitlock says she enjoyed 2 weeks in
Red River, NM, visiting her son, DIL, and 3 grand-
sons. They celebrated Mother’s Day and her
youngest grandson’s HS graduation. THEN, the last
(cont. on p. 7)
Sister Chat
We always highlight a member of Alpha Tau in each
newsletter, and this issue that member is Cay Sergent,
our long-standing treasurer of Alpha Tau. Cay is of an
age where she is more than willing to tell someone, but
doesn’t really want to see it in print. (We love her sense
of humor!) She lives in the country halfway between
Halfway and Buffalo, editor’s humor.
She has spent 32 years in education, she thinks,
receiving a BS in Educ and a Masters as well. She
worked as an English teacher, a librarian, and a
technology director all of those many years, and the
editor thinks most, if not all, of those years were in
Buffalo.
Cay has been so very dedicated all of the 30 years
she has been in DKG, and service has been her life’s key
word. In Alpha Tau she has been the 2nd VP, the 1st VP,
the president, and the standing treasurer. At the state
level, she has served as the recording secretary, 2nd VP,
1st VP, and PRESIDENT! She currently serves on the
state finance and communications committees. At the
international level, yes, international, she has served on
the Educator’s Book Award Committee and Member-
ship Committee.
Cay’s family includes husband Frank, daughters
Jeannette, Kristal, and our Jessie, three grandchildren
Kendall, Dylan, and Oliver, and 3 dogs Bessie, Harry,
and Rose. If Cay DOES have any free time, she enjoys
reading, photography, and researching her family
history. She also volunteers for several organizations.
(See p. 9.) She says, “I am blessed to have busy days.”
We say that is probably an understatement on the busy
part.
When asked what is different in DKG from when you
(cont. on p. 7)
Cay Sergent
Past State Pres.
Our Treasurer
Mom
Grandma
Wife
All-Knowing
Never Says No
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Summer, 2023 p. 6
Dr. Diana Piccolo presents on MSU programs
available for graduates at our April meeting
Symbols of Delta Kappa Gamma
In the last newsletters, we have talked about the
meaning of some of the symbols of Delta Kappa
Gamma—our name, our colors, our flower, our key,
and our crest. To continue this discussion, let us
discuss the meaning of Delta Kappa Gamma’s song.
It was written by Annie Webb Blanton and Cora
M. Martin, two of the original founders, before the
May 11, 1929, founding of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Dr. Blanton was a member of the faculty of the
University of Texas and a former state superin-
tendent in Texas. She came up with the idea of an
organization for women educators representing
various professional positions in education. So she
organized the first Delta Kappa Gamma at the Faculty
Women’s Club at the University of Texas in Austin,
Eleven women educators from Texas, representing
various professional positions in education, were
initiated by Dr. Blanton.
“Women teachers, to the calling” was an unusual
thought in 1929, because men were the ones who
grouped together in special meetings—not women!
So, this was a great experiment, and it was an
important milestone for professional women. They
were “forward moving’ indeed!
That is one reason members are encouraged to
sing the song at each meeting—to remember how far
we have come, and to make sure we ARE “forward
moving ever!” Yes, the song is long and impossible to
memorize, but maybe that helps us remember that
the journey for women is never easy! We must be
staunch, whatever that means! I asked the app Chat
GPT to put this song in common language and here is
what I got: (this may be blasphemy);
(Cont. on p. 7)
SISTER PROFESSIONAL NEWS
*Betty Glasgow is proud to announce that Bolivar
High School Educators are going to Nationals in
Orlando! This group used to be called the Future
Teachers of America. They get dual credit with MSU for
the work they do. They all took the Paraprofessional
exam April 13th.
*Karla Spear has recently attended a workshop at a
Counselor Fly Program at the US Naval Academy at
Annapolis in Maryland. She is currently the summer
school director at Climax Springs. At the end of June,
she and hubby will be attending the International
Society for Technology in Education Conference in
Philadelphia! She has heard it is one of the best in the
nation!
*Christa Rowland is finishing her Dyslexia
Certification this fall!! Congrats, Christa!!
*Kassidy Owens will be leaving Halfway to teach 5th
grade at Nixa in the fall. We wish her the best of luck in
this transition!
*Jessie Gray’s summer plans include going to a
large teacher conference called Elevate in Nashville!!
But she is also hoping to squeeze in a trip with her
hubby and girls to see the ocean.
*Rhonda Agee proudly writes that four of her FBLA
students qualified for national competition, which
means that they are bound for Atlanta at the end of
June! Watch out, Atlanta, and congrats!!!
If You Missed the April Meeting . . .
(Cont. from p. 2)
President Gray adjourned the business meeting and
introduced Dr. Diana Piccolo from the Missouri State
University College of Education Programs and
Scholarships. Dr. Piccolo discussed graduate
certificates and graduate programs available at MSU
as well as scholarships and grant project opportunities
available to educators.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Agee
Recording Secretary
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, contact Cay Sergent. There are
many helpful resources on the website!
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Summer, 2023 p. 7
Sister Fun News from p. 4
the last week of June, 3 friends and Laurie are going
to KY to visit the Ark. THEN sometime this summer
she will go to Dallas to see her 2 sisters, and THEN
she may make a trip to VA to visit another grandson.
She ends with, “Oh, how I love retirement!” We guess
so!
*Myrna Walker thoroughly enjoyed her trip to
San Francisco via Amtrak’s California Zephyr, even
with a bum leg from her total knee replacement. It
was an unforgettable experience and is highly
recommended! Here are a couple of her pictures.
*Joann Brown is expecting ---a new grandbaby!!
Yeah!!! Congrats on this great news!! It is her 5th
grandbaby and she/he is due September 25th!
*Rhonda Agee happily announces that she and
husband Dale just celebrated 29 years of marriage by
going to Branson for a wonderful memorial weekend
get-away. How awesome!
*After all the conferences she has been attending,
Karla Spear and hubby will take a break AND a train
to NYC for a few days and see a Broadway show.
While she is at home, she is squeezing on Baby Zeke.
Later this summer they hope to squeeze in a late July
cruise!
Symbols of DKG—Our Song, from p. 5
“Women teachers, let’s answer the call and pursue
our chosen path.
We hold our profession in high regard and honor it
as our guiding principle.
Chorus;
We heed the call, united in purpose, motivated
to make a difference.
We make a difference. We remain loyal to our
highest ideals, standing tall and steadfast.
We value knowledge and genuine education as our
guiding light.
Our commitment to service is unwavering, as we
strive for what is right.
The app said that the hymn ( I didn’t know it was a
hymn) acknowledges the dedication and passion of
women teachers, and emphasizes their commitment
to education, service, and upholds their honorable
values. So, think of that next time we sing our song!
Dear Sisters,
Please go look at the Our Members section of our
website alphtaumo.weebly.com and tell me what I
need to update about your information! There is a
way to do that on the Home page of the website!
Thank you!!
The Alpha Tau Talk Editor
Heads up!! Missouri State has a new website address! It
is a change from dkgmissouri.net to dkgmissouri.org .
Please be aware that it has the same ending as
international now.
Sister Chat from p. 4
joined, Cay replies that things are much less formal.
She says dress at conventions are now business or
just plain casual, whereas when she first joined it was
more of a “dress-up-affair.”
Name one thing that is different in education
today from when you started teaching was asked
next. She replied, “Oh, my, so many things! Some are
not so important and others, well, who knows—time
will tell. I think we place more emphasis on high-
stakes testing now.”
Would she still choose teaching if she could choose
again? She replies, “I would become an educator
again. While you won’t get rich in education, you will
have a life that makes a difference for others.” Cay
certainly has, and does! We couldn’t make it without
her!
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Summer, 2023 p. 8

Pictures from the 85th Missouri State Convention in Columbia, MO

Two new features this year were
a Pop Up Art Gallery where
sisters brought their crafts to
display and a Friday night
Schools for Africa Bingo!

New Missouri State Officers for 2023-2025

Gwen Simmons- Secretary, 2nd VP-Wilma Harpole, 1st VP-Laura
Scott, President-Diana Ackley

Past President of 2019-2021, Jana Siefkas, presents A little treat in such

outgoing president Judy Heuer a plaque for a job well a novel rose design!
done!
Some of the quilts displayed at the Pop Up Art Gallery
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Summer, 2023 p. 9

Our dear President Jessica Gray was honored as a Key

Laura Ingalls Wilder (aka Kathleen
Educator. Her recognition statement read,”Jessica leads
Boswell) visited the Convention and
professional development sessions called “Winning
told of her life in 1947.
Wednesday” that brings back knowledge from LETRS
training to teachers in her school. In 2017, her third grade
class raised funds and build a Little Free Library that still
resides in the Pleasant Hope Park today, bringing literacy
to the whole community. Jessica supports early career
educators in the form of a district mentor. She is paired
with an early career educator and meets with them
monthly and supports them in all areas of their classroom.”

Cay Sergent has also been busy, as President of the

Polk County Geneological Society, helping to
commemorate the 100th Birthday of Dunnegan Park.
Picture by Linda Simmons of Bolivar Herald Free Press

Myrna Walker presenting a workshop

about Traveling on a Budget at the
Convention. Cay Sergent also presented
two workshops. About 95 women attended
the State Convention.
Picture courtesy of Deltagrams