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KR: Have you presented at events for DKG?
LCL: I have presented at several state organization conferences, and it is
intimidating, but, if you do not put yourself out there, you do not know what
you can achieve. Know what you are passionate about and how you can go
about sharing that with others; then take the leap and put in an application.
Keep deadlines in mind so you know when they need people to present.
Prepare early so it is not too late to have your required work in place, and
keep all due dates on your calendar. The more you get used to doing this, the
more you hone your craft. DKG helps you grow professionally, and others
mentor you to where you want to be.

KR: What do you find interesting about joining a professional
organization such as DKG?
LCL: Educators are very tired, and there is a certain element of knowing
that, to start, you have to leap into investing time and keep showing up to
see what is out there. Once women meet each other, they want to spend
time with each other. Also, there is not a lot of knowledge about who DKG
women are and what they do. There has been an issue of sororities and
fraternities not gaining popularity, and misconceptions may exist because of
our Greek letters. In an elevator pitch moment, one can share who we are,
but it eats away at the time we have to talk with people and share what we
are working on. We need to focus on key women educators and who we are
as an organization to be taken seriously as a profession. We need to capture
what we do in our name, and we could spread the name better if the word
“educator” was foremost.
I think there is a place for everyone in DKG. New teachers can bring
energy, fresh ideas, and tech for those who may not be as fluent in that area,
while veteran teachers can help support the new teachers by assisting them
in the classroom, as well as mentoring them on how to present and publish.
Meetings are not required but are a time to get to know other members. We
want to hook them initially from their homes so they can see a sample of the
variety of professionals in the organization. Next, we can get them excited
about in-person events. Conferences can be a time to get to know others
better. There are career sessions and great speakers. Sharing time in person or
via Zoom at Zentangle events—a form of relaxing drawing—works as well.
We have the opportunity to make each individual feel valued as a person and
valuable in education. If they can attend other conferences, they will make
connections, and then we help them foster those connections until they see
being a member as an asset. I love being active in DKG because the members
have made me feel heard and have demonstrated they are listening through
action.

KR: What do you think about teachers and respect in today’s society?
LCL: Individually, when people find out you are a teacher, they may say
things such as “God bless you” or other accolades, but, when they talk about
education in general, society places blame on educators and schools. It is
very draining to think we are responsible for the life outcomes of all in the

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