Five things you need to know about Miranda Joseph
Miranda Joseph ran unopposed as the Democratic nominee for the State Auditor’s seat in the June 5 primary, but now that the primaries are over, the real battle has begun. Joseph will face incumbent Jim Zeigler in the November 6 general election, giving those who remember déjà vu — the two were opponents in the 2014 general election. With that in mind, here are the five things you need to know about Miranda Joseph: 1. She is a board certified internal auditor. Joseph is a certified internal auditor. The certification she received from the the Institute of Internal Auditors means she is competently prepared to communicate and understand the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and how to apply them in any position. Her opponent, Zeigler, is not a certified auditor. 2. She has been the democratic nominee for the state auditor’s office in every election since 2010. Joseph is not new to the election scene, having first begun her run for State Auditor in the 2010 general election. However, she has never prevailed against her opponents in the deep red state. In 2010 Joseph lost her first election to Samantha Shaw. When she ran again in 2014, she faced against Zeigler who also bested her. But after two lost elections and years spent campaigning, she’s not giving up. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to say, for the first time in Alabama, we actually elected a certified auditor to be the State Auditor of Alabama? Alabama, let’s send a Certified Auditor to Montgomery to do an Auditor’s job,” Joseph told her Facebook followers. 3. She has a B.S. in accounting, an M.B.A. and twelve years of experience in the accounting field. Joseph earned her Bachelors degree in accounting and M.B.A. from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and began her twelve year career in the accounting field; holding positions as a bank teller, staff accountant, tax accountant, and external auditor. “Just as we sit at our kitchen tables to save and watch our pennies, our government should do the same with our tax dollars,” Joseph’s campaign page reads. “Government should be fair and accountable and I have the experience we need to make sure we have this in Alabama.” 4. She was endorsed by the ‘Republicans for Doug Jones’ group. Although she’s received endorsements from several organizations including Citizens for Better Government, Joseph also collected an endorsement from the Republicans for Doug Jones: 5. She’s a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. The Delta Sigma Theta sorority “a sisterhood called to serve,” was founded in 1913 to give women in the greater Birmingham community a place to serve beside other women. The sorority focusses it’s efforts on implementing programs in economic and educational development, political awareness and involvement, international awareness and involvement, and physical and mental health. “From the core of these five areas, we implement programs for youth that increase scholarships, scholastic achievement, leadership skills, and promote high self-esteem,” reads the sorority’s website. “We feed the homeless, support educational awareness at home and abroad, support scientific studies, voter registration and voter education.”
Five things you need to know about Walt Maddox
Walt Maddox won the democratic nomination for governor, with nearly 55 percent of the votes. His closest competitor, former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb held only 28.98 percent of the vote. But now that the primaries are over, the real battle begins. Maddox will face against incumbent governor and Republican candidate Kay Ivey in the November 6 general election. With that in mind, Here’s five things you need to know about Walt Maddox: 5. While at UAB, he was a four-year letterman on the football team. Maddox attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1991, and played on the college’s football team for four years. In his freshman year 120 players walked on and after four season Maddox was one of only 16 lettermen left. “I’m very proud of that,” Maddox told the Tuscaloosa news. “I wasn’t that good, but I worked so hard to do it. I feel like I’ve spent my life trying to prove myself. I have this desire within me to do that. It gives me the drive to do well.” Maddox was invited back in April of 2013 to coach a UAB scrimmage game to raise funds for the victims of the tornados that swept through the state on April 2, 2011 destroying parts of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Not only did the game provide Maddox with a way to help his constituents even more, but he also achieved a life-long dream of his, coaching football. 4. His background is in public education, which is a tradition in his family. After earning his Bachelors degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration, from UAB, Maddox began his career in public education, a family tradition. In 1996 Maddox served as a field director for the Alabama Educational Association, until 2001 when he was appointed to be the Executive Director of Personnel for Tuscaloosa City Schools where he served until he was elected as mayor of Tuscaloosa. 3. He garnered national attention for his role in recovery efforts after “tornadoes demolished one-seventh of his city” in 2011. During his second term as mayor, tragedy struck the city of Tuscaloosa on April 27, when one of the worst tornado outbreaks in U.S. history demolishing one-seventh of the city. The recovery process has been long and hard for the city, but Maddox received national attention for his demeanor and leadership during the process. “Though Tuscaloosa’s long-term recovery process has had its critics, Maddox emerged from the disaster beloved by his constituents, who saw a young and energetic leader guiding the traumatized community with a steady hand and calm disposition,” said the New York Times. In commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the tornado that tore through Tuscaloosa, the City – under Mayor Maddox’s leadership – launched the website 5 Yrs Fwd, highlighting how recovery from the disaster has progressed. 2. He is the youngest mayor in the history of the city of Tuscaloosa. In 2005, longtime Tuscaloosa mayor Al DuPont retired, and Maddox faced against city council member Sammy Watson in the election. The race resulted in a runoff later that year which Maddox won with 54 percent of the vote. He was only 33 years old when he was elected Mayor of Tuscaloosa, making him the youngest mayor in the history of the city. 1. His favorite hobby is running, and he has completed 9 marathons and several half-marathons. Running can do wonders for your overall mental health, immune system, and is an excellent stress reliever. Maddox’s favorite hobby is running; he has run nine marathons and several half marathons. Only .5 percent of the U.S. population has run a full marathon, with even fewer people completing more than one.
Women of Influence: Autism Society of Alabama VP Dr. Caroline Gomez
Dr. Caroline Gomez is an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) sage; working within the ASD community for over three decades, Gomez is determined to advise, guide, and work directly with those who would help and serve individuals with ASD. A Miami-native, Gomez spent most of her college and working career in the Yellowhammer state. Receiving her first degree, a bachelors in Special Education, from Troy University in 1983, she worked as a special education teacher at several schools within in the state until 1987. She then moved back to Florida for a brief stint as an elementary school teacher and team leader, before moving to Texas to begin working on her Master’s degree in Special Education, (including an Autism specialization) at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Earning her Master’s degree in 1995, Gomez moved across the pacific to Tachikawa, Japan where she worked as an English instructor for the Yokogawa Engineering Corporation while also working as an Autism Inclusion Consultant at the Yakota Elementary school on the Yakota Air Base. Continuing her education even further, Gomez moved back to the state of Alabama to earn her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation & Special Education, with a specialization in Autism, from Auburn University. While working on her Ph.D., Gomez continued to work with several different schools, and a mental health center until she started her own private practice in 2001, Autism Diagnostics, Consultation, and Training which she still maintains today. But she didn’t stop there, we’re only in the early 2000’s, and she only gets more impressive from here on in… In 2003 she earned her Ph.D, and became the co-director of the Auburn University Autism Center, overseeing and delivering several programs and services including: a model demonstration site for best practice education for children with ASD training for families, teachers, and related professionals outreach consultation services research opportunities relative to effective intervention strategies for children with ASD In 2007, Gomez took a position as Director of the Autism Hope Center in Georgia until 2009, when she relocated back to the Yellowhammer state. That year, Gomez was named the first ever Autism State Coordinator for the state. There, she led the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council and worked with then-Gov. Bob Riley to meet recommendations set forth by the Alabama Autism Task force. She continued to work as the state coordinator for two years, before jumping back into the private sector in 2011 to work as an autism diagnostic and consultation specialist at Glenwood Mental Health, Inc. in Birmingham, where she provided and planned program recommendations to Alabama school systems, a position she has held to this day. Gomez was also awarded the Resolution Honoring Professional Achievement by the Alabama State Senate, the same year. In 2012, Gomez added Adjunct Professor at the University of Alabama in Birmingham to her already impressive resume, and became a full-on Professor, teaching online courses, at the American Public University System in 2013, a position which she still maintains to this day. During all of her long work history, Gomez has somehow managed to serve on several boards including the: National Network of Autism Training and Technical Assistance Programs (NATTAP) (2009-2015) Alabama Disabilities Leadership Coalition (2010- current) Lee County Autism Resource and Advocacy (2014- current) Alabama Annual Autism Conference Planning Committee (2007-current) Autism Society of Alabama (2004-2009; 2012- current) This year Gomez was selected to serve as Vice-President for the Autism Society of Alabama, a title she also held in 2009. She is a truly remarkable woman, who has spent a majority of her lifetime leading and encouraging others to serve those that some of us, whose lives are not affected by ASD, might forget; and was kind enough to answer some of Alabama Today’s questions about her life, work, and influences. How have other women influenced your success? I have been fortunate to have extraordinary women mentor me throughout my career. Dr. Consuelo Bossey at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio Texas encouraged me to become an expert in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At the time, the ASD prevalence rate was 1 in 500 children. Today, the ASD prevalence rate is 1 in 59 children. Dr. Bossey’s urging became my life’s work. Dr. Samera Baird, Auburn University Professor Emerita, guided me with patience and enthusiasm through my doctoral program and a national research project to identify earliest indicators for ASD. I truly want to be just like her when I grow up! However, I will always admire and adore two strong women above all others. My mother, Rita Crawford, has always been my example and pillar of strength. She raised four children with little support and no complaint all while assuaging any of our worries. My great aunt, El Notaro, who had to drop out of school to work after the 8th grade, proudly earned her high school diploma at age 65. She epitomized tenacity and grace in the face of adversity, even after losing both of her legs. My mother and Aunt El were strong women who told me I could do anything, and I believed them! What shaped your desire to work with special needs kids, specifically children with autism? I honestly always wanted to be a teacher. My two younger sisters could not escape my practice for my future career. I was also drawn to children with challenges. My first year as a special education teacher was exciting and terrifying. Special education had only been a federal mandate for seven years and to say that I was not prepared would be an understatement. However, I was always willing to raise my hand and ask for help when needed and I have continued that practice. That willingness gave me had the opportunity to learn from experts in other fields like speech-language pathology and occupational therapy. When I began my special education teaching career, the prevalence rate for ASD was 1 in 2,500 children. ASD was so rare that it was never mentioned in my undergraduate special education program. Darius, a three year old in my first classroom, introduced me
Women of Influence: Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Jeana Ross
Few women in education have worked as long, and as hard to advance the education of young children in Alabama as Jeana Ross. A Guntersville native, Ross earned her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and her Master’s in educational leadership from the University of Alabama. She began her career in the Jackson County school system in 1975, teaching second and third grades. From there, she taught in the Guntersville education system, continuing her work with children in kindergarten through the third grade, and became one of the first kindergarten teachers in Alabama Public Schools, a full-day program. “My love for children’s curiosity and delight of discovery created a strong desire to always participate in and facilitate the pure joy of learning,” Ross told the U.S. Department of Education in an interview. When she started her own family, Ross chose to take a break from her career, and focussed on raising her two sons. In 1997 she jumped back in to the workforce, full speed ahead. Starting back as a preschool teacher, Ross was given the opportunity to write school readiness standards for the Marshall County school district. With her focus now turned on developing other children throughout the state; she quickly advanced to a leadership position, coaching pre-k teachers, and building pre-k programs in school systems across the state. In 2008 she became the Director for Educational Services in the Boaz City School Systems, implementing and evaluating Early childhood education programs. From 2010-2011 she served as the Assistant Principal at Madison City Schools, until she was appointed by then Governor Robert Bentley to lead the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. Through Ross’s leadership, the department has made leaps and bounds. Turning the state’s fragmented early childhood education programs into award winning, nationally recognized curriculums. Under her watchful eye, the program has experienced the most growth in its history; growing from 211 classrooms to more than 900 classrooms located in all 67 counties in the state. Her department has also been responsible for writing and receiving over $100 million in federal grant awards for education. The program has also received national recognition, with Alabama being one of only four states in the nation to be recognized by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) for meeting all 10 of the NIEER quality benchmarks. As a member of Governor Kay Ivey‘s cabinet, she is also a leader of the Children’s Policy Council, the Children First Trust Fund, and the Head Start Collaboration Office, and a founding member of the Office of School Readiness Advisory Board and Evaluation Task Force. Ross has always held a special interest, and love for children from low-income and has secured over $7.5 million in grant funds over the course of her career to offer quality services to low income and at-risk children and families. Through her efforts, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education has experienced tremendous growth, in numbers, and in the quality of the programs offered. Ross is an expert leader and educator, spending over two decades advancing the Alabama education system, and improving the lives of the children she encountered along the way. In spite of her busy schedule, Ross was kind enough to take some time, and answer some of Alabama Today’s questions on her life, work, and influences. How have other women influenced your success? I have been greatly influenced by the effort of devoted educators, many of whom are women, who work regardless of pay or recognition every day to teach children and champion their right to reach their greatest potential. These women are examples of selflessness and responsiveness that provides children powerful opportunities to find purpose and experience success that impacts their entire life through an excellent education. An incredible mother and two dear grandmothers, true examples of graciousness, humility, love and determination continue to inspire me. What shaped your desire to work in education, and then in government? A love for a child’s curiosity and delight of discovery created a strong desire to always participate in this pure joy of learning and to protect it as much as possible. What has been your favorite area of service, and what is your favorite thing about that position? My opportunity for service from the first was centered around early learning and has remained my favorite area of concentration. The first five years are the most important in a child’s development. It is during these years that a foundation is established that shapes a child’s future health, skills and abilities. A position at the state level that enables me to be part of an amazing team of experts that with great energy and enthusiasm effect change and creates a system of support for the early years is a much-appreciated responsibility. Have you read any books that have shaped your perspective on life? The Bible is the book that has most shaped my perspective on life. It has given me understanding of purpose, knowledge of truth and acceptance of my limitations. It provides guidance and strength to continually improve and persevere in serving others. What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue careers as educators, or serve in state government? Surround yourself with positive and innovative people that value authentic collaboration and strategic risk-taking. Never under estimate the power of communication and honesty. How do you spend your (rare) free time? During rare free time, I enjoy entertaining, gardening and reading and most of all being with family.
