The sleepy, dusty town of Lubbock, Texas in the late 1950’s was the perfect incubator for a shy, imaginative child who was a voracious reader with a dream of becoming a writer.
The “first act” of her life was long–twenty eight years as a teacher and counselor, but even in her stint as an educator she continued to write—curriculum, newsletters, humorous items for co-workers, and fiery editorials to newspapers. Along with her job duties, she was the executive producer of an educational television show, Career Connection, where she was involved in almost every area of production—script writing, filming locations, and organizing.
In 2001, Carol began her “second act” as a career counselor, writer and speaker. Her goal was to encourage others to use their individual gifts and talents to make positive changes in their lives and the world. She was the host of a local radio talk show, Career 411 that offered on-air advice and featured local professionals with unique careers. As a freelance writer, she contributed articles to various publications about careers and life planning. After nine years of advising others to follow the “road less traveled”, she made the decision to listen to her own advice.
Her third act and most challenging was being the Democratic candidate for the Texas House of Representatives in 2010. She faced many obstacles in her campaign—as a Democrat, a female and political neophyte. Although she was not victorious, Carol believes that her political campaign prepared her perfectly for her next act.
Her fourth act as an author remains to be written, but as any writer knows, an unfinished manuscript holds a world of possibilities. Her immediate plans are to continue writing and speaking. Carol Morgan is an avid blogger at www.carolmorgan.org (for writing), http://www.careerseducationandlife.blogspot.com(for life planning), and www.carolmorganfortexas.com (for Texas politics)
Her long time future remains focused on writing books. In her own words: “My first love is writing historical fiction. The past holds the answers to our future. The experience you’re having today is the result of the choices you made yesterday. My goal is to educate readers about the lessons of history and apply those lessons to their own lives. I have five other books in progress and they all share a common theme—our lives are a series of lessons that contributes to our evolution as human beings. If, as a writer, I lead readers to that personal epiphany, then my time writing has been well-spent.”
If you’re interested, here is my resume:
Employment History
2001-Present Career Testing, Planning & Management Services
Business Owner
• Career testing, guidance and consultation
• Professional Presentations to education/business/Texas ESC’s
• Freelance Writing and Research
• Counselor/Consultant–Christ the King High School
Assisted with the re-opening/development of high school
Authored college/career guide publications, student manuals
• Radio Talk Show host–Career411 Show, KRFE am580
• Blogger
careerseducationandlife.blogspot.com
www.carolmorgan.org
www.carolmorganfortexas.com
• Featured Columnist
Next Step Magazine (2003-4) Suite101 (2005-2006)
The Lyre Magazine (2011) The Independent Author Network (2011)
Historical Fiction Novelist: Of Tapestry, Time and Tears–(2011) CreateSpace Publishing (div. of Amazon)
1996-2005 Lubbock High School Lubbock, Texas
Career Counselor
• Recipient/author of numerous grants for career counseling funding
• Executive Producer of LISD-TV Channel 12 “Career Connections”
• Authored brochures, flyers, marketing information for CATE programs
• Increased student participation in CATE programs by 250% in three years
• Author-LISD Career Planning Guides
What Am I Going To Do With The Rest of My Life?
The Official High School Guide
The Online High School Guide
• Created job description for LISD for Career Counselor using State Guidance Model
• LHS Career Center Coordinator
Managed computer guidance, computers, print media for career/college information
Marketed career center for students, teachers, parents, counselors in LISD
• Coordinator for first LHS/LISD Groundhog Job Shadow Day, February, 1999
• PLAN test to 10th grade for college success/career orientation
• Administrated PEIMS accounting for Career and Technology funding
• Established “Friday Career Speaker Series” to inform students about careers, connections with community mentors, create community/business partners
• Author of “Creating, Marketing and Maintaining Successful Career Programs in the Public Schools”
• Coordinated/administered Career Guidance for 2000 students
• Coordinated/performed presentations/test interpretations for LHS feeder schools
1993-1996 Cavazos Junior High Lubbock, Texas
Junior High Counselor
• Original Administrative Staff–opened/established school
• Substance abuse counselor—began first in-school based ALATEEN program
• Established “Project Improvement”—a six week counseling program to reduce recidivism/reintroduce alternative school students’ return to regular classes
• Special Education liaison—managed all referrals, worked with regular education for placement of qualified students, presiding member of ARD committee in lieu of administrator
• Originated “Cavalier Recruiters”—student groups that traveled to elementary schools to recruit students to attend the Cavazos Technology Magnet; required a selection process, a script, schedule, and a guide.
• Established/trained second LISD student-managed-operated Conflict Resolution program which became the model for other LISD Conflict Resolution programs
• Head of campus student support team—staffing group searching for solutions for students with serious personal, academic, physical problems
• Ran/managed average of ten counseling groups per week to deal with various student issues (i.e. divorce, grief, eating disorders, underachievement, gang membership, etc.)
• Provided weekly individual counseling sessions for 35 Special Education per ARD
• Coordinated/anchored Video Morning on Cavazos School Television
1992-93 Alderson Junior High Lubbock, Texas
Junior High Counselor
• Established community mentoring program for African American males
• Coordinated the re-establishment of a 9th grade class/activities for high school
• Improved/streamlined coordination of Special Education services
1976-1991 O.L. Slaton Junior High Lubbock, Texas
Classroom Teacher
• Selected for first Mentor Teacher program in LISD
• Selected for first Induction Year New Teacher Program
• IMPACT grant recipient 1983-1991 for outstanding teaching strategies
• City Wide Textbook Committee
• Established first school-wide Sustained Silent Reading program
• Established Senior Citizen tutoring program for at risk students
• LISD District-Wide Strategic Planning Team (Student Success)
Education
1975 Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas
• BSEd Secondary Education (teaching fields: English, Latin, Reading)
1993 Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas
• MEd Educational Psychology
• Secondary Counseling Certification
1996 University of North Texas Denton, Texas
• Vocational Counselor Certification
Awards and Honors
Democratic Candidate for Texas House of Representatives 2010
2011 Star Award, Texas Democratic Women
Cambridge Who’s Who of Distinguished Americans 2009-2010
U.S. Army Planning for Life Award for Texas 1997
Civic/Professional
1991 O.L. Slaton Teacher of the Year
Board of Directors for Talking and Listening to Children (1994-96)
ACT (American College Testing) State Advisory Committee (2002-2005)
Area Health Education Center of the Plains—Advisory Board (2003-Present)
(TTUHSC, Office of Rural & Community Health)
Association for International Independent Authors
Texas Democratic Women
West Texas Coalition of Democrats
Tejano Democrats
National Career Development Association
Mayor’s Beans & Cornbread Luncheon Volunteer for Hospice of Lubbock (2010)
Past member Lubbock Chamber of Commerce (Business Development Committee)
Texas Hunger Initiative—Lubbock Chapter (2010)
South Plains Food Bank Champions Advocacy Program (2010)
Public Speaking Engagements
• Building Strong Families
• LISD Leadership Forum
• West Texas Institute
• State/Regional Tech Prep
• Texas Regional ESC’s
• Time for Women
• West Texas Career Summit
