Spotlight on Faye Beaulieu , Board Member
Spotlight on Faye Beaulieu , Board Member
What would be a perfect afternoon for you ?
My husband Walt and me with our four kids , and their spouses and children , in a multi-bedroom cabin in an environment with great weather and lots of space to run , chase the dog , play , and catch up with all their lives . Our kids are scattered from Mississippi to Germany – you raise them to be independent , and darn it if they don ’ t act on that attribute . Getting them together is a real challenge .
Who was your role model that you looked up to as a kid ?
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What schools did you attend ?
First grade through half of sixth grade , I attended the elementary school in York , Alabama . At that point we moved from York to DeKalb , Mississippi , where I graduated from Kemper County High School in 1968 as valedictorian in my class of 40 students .
A $ 3,000 scholarship from the Jackson Touchdown Club – need-based – funded the entire cost of my BA in English from what was then Mississippi State College for Women ( now Mississippi University for Women ), in Columbus , MS . I received my BA in 1971 and my MA from the same school in 1973 . A teaching fellowship at the University of Mississippi allowed me to complete my PhD in English in 1977 .
What is one quote or saying that you love , that keeps you going in life ?
Albert Schweitzer : “ I don ’ t know what your destiny will be , but one thing I know : the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve .”
If I had to choose a quote that encapsulates my raison d ’ être , this would be it . Whether we ’ re talking about my personal faith , my family , my volunteer work as a trustee , or my professional work for United Way , my desire to serve is at the center . It gives me breath ; it gives me life .
My high school English teacher – how ironic is that !
What is your favorite city that you have ever visited and why ?
London , for its great access to the rest of England . It has so much history , castles , and the British Museum .
What ’ s something that amazes you ?
What wonderful young adults our children have turned out to be : educated , engaged in their world , married to great people , fun to be around , caring , and healthy .
Give us a brief bio of your career .
I taught briefly – some university and high school English – but stayed home with my children when they were young , proofreading on a contract basis . I was already a United Way volunteer when a staff position opened , and I ’ ve now been their Northeast Tarrant Regional Director for 14 years . It ’ s a position that dovetails beautifully with my volunteer work as a trustee in HEB ISD ; both organizations are focused on improving the community through work in education , financial stability , and health .
I ’ m completing my 22nd year as a school board trustee . I ’ ve seen a lot of change in student demographics and educational philosophy during that time . One thing , though , has remained constant - young people still need preparation for what comes next , and we have