How does a physical education teacher with an English minor find employment at an electric cooperative? It wasn’t my plan, but it was the good Lord’s — and what an incredible plan it was.
In the spring of 2008, I was looking for a summertime job. I interviewed at AEC and was hired to work with Carolyn Passwater in the heat and air department. That is where my AEC career began.
For several more summers, I continued working at the co-op. I even worked with Douglas Conrady in the engineering department. I learned how to draw the maps and put Douglas to the test when he assured me, “There is nothing you can do that I can’t fix.”
In the summer of 2014, a communications job opened at AEC. I became interested in the position because my dad’s health had failed, and I wanted to spend more time with him. Somehow, I convinced Colin Whitley, general manager and CEO, and Gail Ridgway, manager of office services, to hire me during my interview. My title was communications specialist — I was anything but a specialist.
As AEC’s communications specialist, I visited the schools in our service area to present several cooperative programs. This was the best part of my job. As a former teacher, I saw these programs’ positive effects on students and was thrilled to be a small part of them.
In 2015, I went to Washington, D.C., as an Oklahoma Youth Tour group chaperone. I loved seeing students experience our nation’s capital. This experience and having my former students win Youth Tour trips motivated me to promote the program and many others the best I could. Through the years, I met many outstanding students from both Kansas and Oklahoma. AEC also offers Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This, too, provided many opportunities for high school students.
Energy Camp for eighth-grade students is an excellent opportunity for students to learn how co-ops work and how they benefit their communities. It also helps prepare students for leadership roles when they return to their schools and communities.
Former AEC employee Kevin Lingemann and I presented the Safety Smart program to second- and third-grade students. These students are eager to learn and are so much fun. They asked the best questions and always gave Kevin and me something to discuss on our way back to the office.
AEC has added several more school programs in my tenure. These opportunities allow students to learn about cooperatives, improve their leadership skills, and stay safe around electricity.
During my time at AEC, I also helped organize the annual meetings. This was a relatively easy task, as all the employees did their part, making them successful events. AEC’s annual meetings have continued to change yearly.
My least favorite responsibility is writing articles for Hotlines. Let’s face it. I am not a writer. I spent 33 years in education making red ink marks on my students’ papers. I have felt their pain as I have written articles. I now understand how a person can proofread and not find obvious mistakes. So, to my former students, I ask for your forgiveness. Writing correctly and keeping the attention of your readers is difficult at times!
Associated Press (AP) writing goes against most grammar and usage rules I taught as an educator. I apologize to those who have endured years of proofreading and changing my articles because they didn’t follow AP writing style. I just couldn’t do it. Your job will be much easier in the months to come.
As I leave Alfalfa Electric Cooperative, I want to thank the many employees who have become my lifelong friends. We have worked together for a fantastic cooperative. You have my deepest respect for the jobs you do — from the linemen to the office employees. You are the BEST. My statewide co-op friends from Kansas and Oklahoma, thank you for your patience with this ole English teacher. It has been such a fun-filled experience. I have had the opportunity to meet many of our amazing members. The cooperative world has blessed me in so many ways, and I will never forget it. Thank you, and God bless.