dmegivern

I am a former social work assistant professor working with low-income, first generation, and disabled students to support their college graduation. My areas of academic expertise are poverty, mental health, human diversity, and social policy. I LOVE teaching, and hope to return to a classroom soon. But, I am focused on finally finishing my book right now.

I am the oldest of six. I've raised two children (my brother and sister), and managed a family since I was 12 yrs old. I have worked in paid employment since age 8. I have been to the de-commissioning ceremony of the USS Coral Sea. I'm a lefty...left handed, too. I am a humanist. I am a news junkie. I write to Congress at least weekly. I am spoiled by my husband who wishes public credit for his many kind deeds.

I am highly political, ever since the State of Iowa took me and my brothers and sisters away from our parents because of poverty. It was 32 degrees F in our farmhouse when we were removed. The current economy is flashback to this event and the great parental unemployment of 1981-82 for me. Food only at school lunch. Scared to death whether we would leave foster care and go home to our parents.

My favorite thinkers on the left are Thom Hartmann, Rachel Maddow, the Nation, and masbury My favorite pundits on the "right" are David Gergen and Andrew Sullivan.

I love my stolen minutes looking through clips. At first, Clipmarks was just a tool to collect information for research on writing my book. But, over time, I have grown to appreciate the connection with many other Clippers. I wish I were not chronically busy with my job so I could interact more.

Along with my sister and my mother, we are writing a book about the strong connection between poverty and mental illness.

Website/Blog: http://www.speakersite.com/profile/Debo...