Find Your People

We will be featuring various North Carolina Family & Consumer Sciences professionals who are members of AAFCS and how they found their people through membership and involvement in the association. One of the major benefits of membership in AAFCS is the opportunity to connect, collaboration, and grow with other professionals who share a common vision and value- professionals who want to impact the lives of individuals and families and build sustainable communities that foster people's well-being and joy. To share your membership story email Membership Committee Chair Gwen Turner, Vice President for Membership, gwenella0105@gmail.com

Linda (Brown) Bishop

NCAFCS Member 37-year Family and Consumer Sciences Professional-Retired

How many years of service in the FCS profession and different positions have you held?

In April 2023 I retired from Wake County after 37 years in the profession. When I was in eighth grade I was assigned to attend the first middle school in Loudoun County Virginia. I was fascinated by the opportunity to learn to sew and explore additional apparel projects in the “Home Economics” elective. My teacher was so encouraging at a time when children often are not self-confident. She let me do more than the curriculum required. I enrolled in Home Ec. I, II, and III during high school. My senior year I was an assistant to my high school teacher, Mrs. Larson. She was a major influence for my decision to major in what was known as a Home Economics Education at the time. She encouraged me to be a member of (FHA) FCCLA, chapter officer and attend the state conference. I graduated from Abilene Christian University with degrees in Vocational Home Economics Education, now known as Family and Consumer Sciences, and Early Childhood Education. ECE was my back up plan. I started teaching in Oklahoma City. It was a time when FCS programs usually had only one teacher per school. I used my back up plan and accepted a position teaching Kindergarten. I was able to move to a FCS position after a couple of years when a FCS teacher retired. I added a minor in science to teach 8th grade science to fill my schedule.

In the late 80’s education funding caused me to pivot and used my FCS degree to work at Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City as the Catering Supervisor for the medical meetings, doctors dining room, administration lunches and special events. The training by the hospital’s Human Resource and the hospital administration was my first professional development that made an impression at an early point in my career. My husband was transferred, and I returned to teaching in McAllen, Texas. I had the unusual opportunity to teach an English-speaking Kindergarten for 3 years in an area that was 85% Hispanic and Spanish speaking. I was trained to assimilate into a new culture. This training and the experience of living in the McAllen community was so helpful. I used this experience when my family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina and began teaching at Sanderson High School. Children from other countries were often put in my FCS classes. The FCS department became a strong team of 5 teachers and co- advisers for FCCLA. In addition to FCCLA, I was a class advisor, CTE department chair and mentor for new teachers at SHS. Becoming a mentor was important to me to help teachers learn their job, the school culture and feel supported. After 18 years at SHS I continued to support new FCS teachers across Wake County as a CTE Instructional Specialist for the last 8 years of my career. 

Why you are still active within NCAFCS?

As a retiree, I hope to offer experience, encouragement, and mentoring support as long as I can. Our professional network is important, and the veterans can be a strong resource for new professionals. During my teacher training, my university teachers were wonderful mentors and encouraged me and other FCS student teachers to attend the state professional meetings. I remember the feeling of seeing myself as a future professional and was impressed with the opportunities available. Encouraging our university student membership and their research is important. Many new FCS teachers are coming from outside the traditional teacher training programs or from other curriculum areas outside of CTE. Those of us that are NCAFCS retirees could be a resource to these non-traditional FCS teachers. I believe the future of FCS will only get stronger if we are helping each other.

Advice you would share with young/new professionals and other members in their career.

Our state has some of the best and brightest FCS professionals. I invite them to become NCAFCS members for professional training opportunities, legislation updates, opportunities to lead, present successful methods and network with FCS colleagues across the state. I encourage them to invite colleagues from their FCS department to participate in NCAFCS. Social media connections are not the same as learning together in a workshop or having coffee or a meal together and face-to-face networking. This past spring conference offered some incredible workshops and speakers. I invite all FCS professionals and university students to plan to attend next year’s conference. There is a short article I often shared with new teachers titled, “Find Your Marigold,” by Jennifer Gonzalez. There is so much going on in schools and in school culture that is outside of our control. Look for the "marigolds" to encourage growth, seek out professional development opportunities and connections to support and help you develop. I encourage all of us that are veterans or retirees to be marigolds for our new colleagues.

Finally, I encourage all new FCS professionals to keep learning and continue to improve. Take your teaching experience to the next level by offering learning experiences and leadership training for students through a CTSO organization. FCS professionals can provide the learning experiences, guidance, positive role modeling and encouragement that can be life changing for our students. I am proud to be a FCS professional and NCAFCS member.