Bettina is an educational administrator, a curriculum and instructional specialist, artist/illustrator, web designer, author, entrepreneur, North Carolina Principal Fellow, member Phi Delta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi, member of NC State Superintendent's Principals' Advisory Committee (2000 - 2002), an advisor to www.safespaces.com, and has received numerous teaching awards. (And you wonder why we're in Bettina's fan club?)

Her passions include teaching and instruction, anything science, reading, collecting antiques, and the children, parents, and educators she works with. Her organization, Edu-Leadership.com, is committed to contributing to the improvement of public education — founded on the belief that teachers, children and their parents are worth that.

In order to improve the way education does business, Edu-Leadership.com promises to inform, instruct, and inspire business, parents and educators, and initiate open communication between them.

Bettina is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and lives in southeastern North Carolina with her two dogs.

Learn more about Edu-Leadership.com, Bettina and her colleagues from the Edu-Leadership.com website, or contact Bettina directly.

— Jamie Walters, founder & chief exec, Ivy Sea, Inc.

The students, teachers and parents I work with have provided a non-stop source of inspiration.

What do you find most challenging about your career?

The unpredictability of working with hundreds of people everyday. It keeps me on my toes and keeps me in constant awe.

Most rewarding?

Watching students and teachers grow and succeed in their endeavors. It's the ultimate reward and is what keeps me working in the field of education.

If you could pursue any other profession, what would you do?

It would have been great to be an astronomer. I have a sincere love of science and use to sit around and read about particle physics, black holes, quarks, quasars and the like.

What's the one item you have on your person most of the time?

Chocolate. Always chocolate. I can do without a lot of things, but hardly chocolate.

If you were a non-human object/being, what would you be?

A star. They burn, radiate heat, and have very long lives. They're nicely complex, but steady and predictable.Their light and energy supports life. They've provided inspiration to people for years. And like the quote about eagles and leaders, you find them one at a time. Reflective of my love of astronomy I suppose.

"Scientists now know that half of the chemical elements heavier than iron were synthesized in Red Giant stars and dispersed throughout the galaxy as stardust blown by stellar winds. These elements are essential to human life; in other words, humans are made of stardust."

Isn't this a great quote about stars?

What's one of your favorite quotes?

"The understanding of atomic physics is child's play, compared with the understanding of child's play."
— David Kresh

This quote explains why working with children is more of a challenge than anything science will ever face — and it is. I've spent hours, and hours, and hours staring into microscopes. The wonders of science are nothing new to me, but children are incomparable in their ability to amaze.

Another favorite is: "Run like a girl!"

What type of person do you get along with the best?

Someone who is intelligent, compassionate, communicative, thoughtful, and who thinks.

Name one of your pet peeves.

1. Dog hair. I love my dogs, but can't stand the trail of hair they leave behind in my home. I vacuum daily to get rid of it, but it always comes back.

2. I also don't like individuals who spread rumors that are harmful to others. I see too much of that. It's a serious sign of weakness and lack of character in individuals who initiate them.

What's the one question you'd like definitely answered?

"Why don't people use knowledge that is readily available?" Given what's available, many people don't read, quit learning and quit thinking. There is so much to learn, how can people ignore it? There's no harm in learning — all it does is make you smarter!

Of what are you most proud?

My ability to maintain a simple, uncomplicated life in the midst of living around others who are searching for external rewards. I'm not saying I don't live well — I do, but things aren't too important to me. A good life isn't about physical items, it's about living well. Getting plenty of rest, helping and being with others, being creative, finding artifacts — those kinds of things. I surround myself with things that I love.

What was one of your favorite games as a child?

I had a playroom when I was a little girl. I'd put a table in the middle with chairs around it, and put my dolls and stuffed animals in the chairs and serve them tea. It was their reward for being good!

What's your favorite comfort-food meal?

Mmmmmmm. Let's see. I love food. Probably a steak. I don't eat too many of them, but when I need to indulge, that's what I get. I also love old-fashioned, home-cooked, thick, rich oatmeal with strawberries, and my mother's cooking.

What book or books are you currently reading?

I read anything I can get my eyes on, and probably read too much. My two current reads are: 1) Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way: How to be a More Effective Leader in Today's Schools by Robert D. Ramsey; and 2) Avoiding Burnout: A Principal's Guide to Keeping the Fire Alive by Barbara Brock and Marilyn Grady. These are two very good books that describe what my life is like (if you need something entertaining to read!)