Real Stories

Laura Adams

Modest means – that’s where I come from. For years, I’ve heard stories about my great grandparents. My great-grandfather was a farmer and my great-grandmother was a teacher. When my great-grandfather was unable to work the farm any longer, he …

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Susan Nicol

susan-nicol I live in Madison, Wisconsin and I am an RN Patient and Family Educator and a certified Diabetes Educator at the University of Wisconsin Hospital.  I’ve had the privilege of working for the hospital for over twenty years. I became …

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JoeAnne Peterson

I am from Kent City, Michigan and I taught for 35 years in Grand Rapids Public Schools. I was born to be a teacher. I loved what I did with my entire heart, my soul and my mind. My students …

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Gwendolyn Beasley

For more than three decades, I served the City of Detroit as a clerk at the public library. In October of 1992, I won the “Employee of the Month” award, and in 1999, I received the “General Employees Merit” award. …

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Shawn Connors

Shawn-Connors-NPPC When I left a higher-paying private sector engineering job to become a Pennsylvania public school teacher 18 years ago, I knew I would be trading money for the priceless opportunity to inspire students and help them achieve their dreams. I …

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Kevin Crovetto

For 26 years, I have taught industrial arts technology to high school students in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. This school is a true community, and I love it. My wife is the assistant principal, my children attend the school, and in …

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Pat Knazze

I grew up in Chicago during the Civil Rights and the Women’s Rights Movement. I upheld the legacy of these movements by teaching working-class minority students on the South Side of Chicago.  For 35 years, I taught my students that …

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Alan Gordon

Imagine if your governor was threatening your retirement security as a campaign issue. That’s exactly what’s happening in Pennsylvania. I’ve been a caseworker in the Department of Welfare in Delaware Country Pennsylvania for 24 years, helping Pennsylvanians who have next …

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Paula Ready

My name is Paula Ready and I have served as a Child Support Case Worker in San Bernardino County for the past 18 years. My job hits close to home – my youngest son is autistic. As a single mother, …

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