I am Candace Kee but prefer to be called Candy. I am originally from Randolph County and received my bachelor's degree in K-6 through Appalachian State University. After my first year of teaching grade 2 in Randleman NC, I had an offer to work for Burlington Industries in management. After 13 years with them and a transfer to the Shelby area, I met my husband and renewed my teaching certification. I was offered a job in a Title 1 school and although I have always loved reading I fell in love with this program and the students that I served. The fact that they struggled so in reading broke my heart and I realized that I needed to know more in order to help them learn and succeed. I started UNC-Charlotte in the Reading Master's program and completed everything but the capstone. A health issue took me away but I did receive a K-12 reading certification. After 13 years in Title 1, I received my certification in Exceptional children. At that time I transfered to the highschool in this program and again had an opportunity to work with the same children that were in my Title 1 program years before. I stayed there 3 years. My students still struggled. I realized then that I needed more training. Appalachian State University's master program has offeered the much needed training for me to be able to continue my journey to improve literacy in the lives of our students. Currently I am the coordinator of Cleveland County School's recently opened Parent Literacy Center where we serve parents and Cleveland County School students. Candy Kee