Season 2, Episode 33 - Tony Jean Dickerson
Dan Sterenchuk and Tommy Estlund are honored to have as our guest, Tony Jean Dickerson. She was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. She is the 7th of 8 siblings (4 boys; 4 girls; she is the youngest girl). She was raised by her mother, stepfather, and uncle. This fact shaped a lot of who she is. She is from a blended family and thus, she tends to accept people and family pairings that come in all sorts of “configurations!” Her father could neither read nor write until he learned to sign his name when he became a union leader. He always told her family that education would “set us free.” As a first-generation college student, she took this to heart and has pursued educational opportunities to the fullest! She has (almost) four degrees and she knows this is because of the direct teachings of her father. His work ethic and his dedication to keeping a family together meant everything to her.
She is an educator. She became a teacher at 22 and found herself “stuck” in Kansas City for some 31 years! She never had a bad year in education. She has taught special education, regular education, elementary, middle and high school students; Math, English, Social Studies, Science, and Public Speaking. She has worked in a large school district and small and large charter schools. She left the school district for six years to run a college preparatory program called GEAR UP at UMKC. She has spent more than half of her career as an administrator. Her favorite teaching position was a public speaking teacher for three years. Her favorite administrative job was project director of GEAR UP.
She has never married. She raised her nephew from the age of 13 years to 21 years when her eldest sister died. She also has an “adopted” daughter who was a participant in her GEAR UP program. She is now the caretaker of an 82 (almost 83) year old mother with full blown dementia. She has two furry babies, Biskit and Mrs. Buttersworth (12 and 9 respectively).
She has sewn since she was 6 years of age and she has recently taken up quilting (see https://www.facebook.com/TJD-Quilts-654695541293775/). Once she has finished her final degree and retired, this will be her life’s work. It is her new found passion and she is really good at it!
She is her family’s genealogist and has seriously found some VERY interesting ancestors! One paternal great grandfather is a civil war veteran and his name is on a monument in Washington, DC. Her maternal great grandfather’s was also born during slavery and his name is Columbus…his wife’s name is America! (Truth!)
She is very spiritual and quite superstitious! She doesn’t split poles or let two people comb or “work on her head” at the same time, and she will spit on a broom if you accidentally sweep her feet! She doesn’t attend church, but she loves to quote Bible verses. She recently had her palm, tarot card reading, and runes read on a trip to NOLA!
She loves history, books, old movies (especially pre-code). She loves antiques, refinishing furniture, and gardening. She is a “purger” by nature and loves giving away items that have brought her true pleasure to those that I love. She truly gives away “good stuff!”
She loves rain and sleeping. She really loves sleeping while it’s raining!
Family, friends, sewing, traveling, interior decorating, even cooking are her current passions. She completes every greeting of “How are you?” with “I am blessed.” She believes that her “cup runneth over.” It is how she sees all of life; all situations. She is enjoying herself and those around her. Life is good.
The Curiosity Hour Podcast is hosted and produced by Dan Sterenchuk and Tommy Estlund.
Disclaimers: The Curiosity Hour Podcast may contain content not suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion advised.
