Judy McConnell-Farmer
Topeka, KS
Last updated:
03/10/2007
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After LHS
As a loyal "hometownie," I attended KU and received a degree
in elementary education and certification in early childhood
education. At the University of Virginia, I received a
masters in elementary education, and at Teachers College of
Columbia University in NYC, I earned a masters and doctorate
in early childhood education.
Employment
I taught preschool and elementary school for 10 years in
Kansas and Virginia. For the past 26 years, I have been a
university professor in New York City, New Jersey and,
currently, in Kansas. I was chair of the Department of Early
Childhood Education at Emporia State University and, since
1994, have been a professor of early childhood education at
Washburn University in Topeka. During my career in education,
I have co-edited a book, Reassessment and Renewal:
Professional Issues and Personal Choices, published by
Teachers College Press; presented more than 100 conference
papers; and published numerous articles or chapters in books.
Hearth & Home
For many years I got degrees instead of having children, and
then...WOW... at age 37, we adopted a baby girl, Jennifer.
Exactly nine months and one day later, I gave birth to twin
boys, William and Matthew. After that, I really knew about
young children! Their father and I were married for 24 years
before we divorced. I got remarried 11 years later, in July
2005, to my current husband, Weymouth Farmer. Together, we
have six children between the ages of 20 and 30, and five of
the six are in college. Thank goodness for scholarships and
student loans!!! We have one grandson, two-year-old Quintin,
who is a huge joy in our lives.
The Other Stuff
I have a long-standing interest in the care and education of
young children globally. I am the developer and director of
Washburn University's Student Study Abroad Program in
Jamaica—a great excuse for going to Jamaica twice a year. My
consulting and speaking engagements have included work in
Australia, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Jamaica, Nigeria and
the United Kingdom. In addition, I'm a consultant for
People to People
International of Spokane, Wash., and during the past 11
years, have led delegations of early childhood professionals
to the Peoples Republic of China (twice), Cuba, Czech
Republic, Russia and Spain. As a faculty member of the
Oxford Round
Table, for the past five years I have directed nine
conferences on the topics of early literacy, reading first and
child psychology at Oxford University in Oxford,
England. Three more Oxford conferences are planned for 2007.
And I have served as an expert witness in the area of child
development for various law firms. I feel very fortunate to
have been in the right places at the right times during my
life. My opportunities to travel have been a blessing, and our
children are the true "jewels in our crowns." As a Chesty Lion
40 years ago, I never imagined that my work and experiences
would be as fulfilling at they have been.
My Memories of LHS
I have fabulous memories of high school—the clubs, dances,
football games, plays, the teachers and, most notably,
remembrances of good friends and lots of laughter. All of my
children attended and graduated from LHS, so I look forward to
reading how they will answer their reunion questionnaires! |
