Education is a key issue for the American Association of University Women (AAUW) so members were excited to meet Stacey Larson-Everson, the new superintendent of Tehachapi Unified School District. She was the featured speaker at the January AAUW meeting and impressed the group with her vision for the future of education in Tehachapi.

Larson-Everson is married to Lance Everson who is a retired property manager and they have four grown children and two grandchildren. They raised their family in the rural town of Fallbrook, California, on 4.5 acres with horses, dogs, cats and chickens. With a love of outdoors and rural surroundings they felt Tehachapi would be a good place for them to live and both were pleased that Stacey was offered the position of superintendent.

She said her most important job is to make sure kids are happy, successful and feel safe at school. She stressed that a good teacher must love kids and give them a sense of belonging. This is what she encourages her staff to do.

Superintendent Larson-Everson pointed out that education has changed. When AAUW members were students there was a different climate in the schools. The children listened and followed whatever the teacher said. Today the students are more engaged and encouraged to explore and monitor themselves. State standards reflect this method of teaching.

When asked what is the biggest challenge she sees in Tehachapi, she responded, "It is communication. People are hungry to communicate." To this end, she invites anyone interested to come to "Sipping with the Supe" at Kohnen's Bakery on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:30 until 9:30 a.m. to talk to her about education in Tehachapi. She says, "We are all on the same team, wanting the best for our children."

AAUW promotes education and equity for women and girls and positive societal change. Both men and women with a two-year degree or higher are eligible to join. Call (571) 247-2143 for membership information.