Her Magazine - August 2023

Ainsley Vanbuskirk, 2023-2024 Pitt County Schools Teacher of the Year

Dear Friends, Meet our team

Christina Ruotolo-Franey

is the editor of Her Magazine, Regional Events Director and a Multimedia Account Executive for APG Media. She is also a published author, part-time bookseller at Barnes & Noble and teaches creative writing at Pitt Community College. Christina recently married her sweetheart Craig after 23 years together. They are enjoying married life with their puppy, Reyna and traveling together.

Kris Fay is a photographer based out of Greenville. She and her husband, Patrick, own InBloom Studios. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in interior design. She has always loved planning spaces and composing designs, and her friends often say she is good at making things pretty. She utilizes her training and experience to capture an image that tells its own story. She specializes in portraits, maternity and first year, wedding & engagement photos and graduation photos, as well as business development photos.

Chef LaiSha Buck, MPH is a Washington, D.C. native who enjoys creating fusion healthy cuisine. Currently, Chef LaiSha is a WIC nutritionist and breastfeeding coordinator at the Pitt County Health Department. She enjoys educating clients about the benefits of healthy eating.

I have been an adjunct English and creative writing instructor at various community colleges since 2013. I love writing and teaching others how to unleash their creative potential. I am always reminded of my favorite teacher, Gail Nance Everheart, who was my second grade teacher at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Burlington, N.C. My second grade class was Miss Everheart’s very first year of teaching. It was also the year I wrote my first poem in her class about a blue whale pencil sharpener. I went home, gave mom the poem and told her I wanted to be a writer. She must have thought that was important because she framed the poem and I still have it to this day. At the book signing for my first poetry collection in 2008, Mrs. Nance Everheart attended the event and I was able to thank her for helping me reach my dreams of becoming a published author. I have a photo of us together with my whale poem that day. Teachers are amazing gifts and many of us have a favorite one who gave us encouragement and helped us reach our goals. This brings me to this special education issue of Her Magazine that features another amazing teacher, Ainsley Vanbuskirk, who was recently named the 2023-2024 Pitt County Schools Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Ainsley and all of the teachers who go above and beyond every day to help shape future generations of students.

Blessings,

Christina Ruotolo-Franey

Christy Jones, also know as Coach Chris, is an improvement coach for leaders. She helps them break free from feeling overwhelmed and prepares them to take their teams to high levels of performance. Contact her at www.beginmonday.com.

18-20 ENC Services & Resources Guide

22-23 Her Advice: A Few Lessons Learned

25 Her Restaurant Spotlight: Ming Dynasty

27-30 Her Shopping: Teachers

Gifts

31-33 Her Puzzles

Meet Her

34 Ainsley Vanbuskirk

Christina Ruotolo-Franey Editor

Christy Jones Contributor

Kris Fay Photographer

LaiSha Buck Contributor

Meet The 2023-2024 Pitt County Schools Teacher of the Year, Ainsley Vanbuskirk

BY CHRISTINA RUOTOLO-FRANEY PHOTOS BY KRIS FAY

An educator is a person who encourages and assists students in acquiring knowledge, virtue, and competence through the practice of teaching. Many people still have fond memories of their favorite teacher or someone in the education feld who helped them succeed in school. For many, their dedication and drive is why many choose a career path in the education feld. One such educator is Ainsley Vanbuskirk, a current frst grade teacher at Pactolus Global School in Pitt County, NC. She teaches in the dual language program and has 48 students. Teaching has been a blessing and only nine years into her career in the education feld, Vanbuskirk is being praised for her positive teaching methods by being awarded the Pitt County Schools 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year award. Vanbuskirk was born and raised in Greenville, N.C. and has continued to call Pitt County home. She is a proud product of the public education system having attended Chicod from kindergarten through eighth grade. She attended high school at DH Conley where she took classes geared toward the healthcare feld. Upon graduation, she attended Pitt Community College with aspirations of becoming a nurse. During her second year at PCC, Vanbuskirk changed majors and transferred to East Carolina University for teaching. She earned an associate’s degree from Pitt Community College in 2011 before following with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from East Carolina University in 2013. “It was my second year at PCC and I remember sitting in my anatomy and physiology class and realizing I wanted to do something diferent,” Vanbuskirk says. As a child, math was her favorite subject with its complexity

and she enjoyed the diferent strategies and ways to solve a problem. However, as a teacher, reading has defnitely become her passion. “I love to watch the children grow in their reading skills from a shy new reader to a confdent reader by the end of the class. It’s rewarding to see and be part of their growth and development,” Vanbuskirk says.

Vanbuskirk started her teaching career as an assistant at Chicod School, then worked at Belvoir Elementary School in 2014 before joining the Pactolus Global School in 2020. Vanbuskirk’s joy of teaching stems from fond memories of both her frst and sixth grade teachers, who she thanks for their caring ways in which they made their students feel. “My frst grade teacher was one of my favorites. It was so long ago that I can’t particularly remember any content I learned, but I remember the way she made me feel. She went above and beyond to let her students know she cared. My sixth grade science teacher was the person who told me I would grow up to be a teacher. I’m not sure what she saw in me that led her to that assumption, but she was and still is amazing,” Vanbuskirk says.

For Vanbuskirk, the Pitt County Schools Teacher of the Year award is a great achievement and she is grateful for the award and praise from her peers. She was shocked and surprised and felt fulflled in a way. “We do what we do for our students, not for awards. But sometimes even in the classroom, when students make comments about how much they enjoyed an activity or they hype you up, it feels good. So it feels good to have your eforts recognized,” Vanbuskirk says.

When not winning awards she is gearing up for the daily life of a teacher, making lesson plans and mapping out

“It’s always interesting to hear what students think. I also love watching students learn and transform. Being able to witness first-hand students as they begin to master or excel at things that they may not have excelled at before is incredible.”

projects and assignments. A typical day for Vanbuskirk starts with a morning meeting where students are able to learn and practice efective communication skills, and an activity centered around a social-emotional need or global competency. “Students are then engaged in various literacy activities for most of the morning. After lunch, recess, and encore, students become mathematicians. Our day is flled with lots of rigor, but also laughs and hugs,” Vanbuskirk says.

Vanbuskirk’s favorite part about teaching is learning different perspectives from both colleagues and students. “It’s always interesting

to hear what students think. I also love watching students learn and transform. Being able to witness frst-hand students as they begin to master or excel at things that they may not have excelled at before is incredible,” Vanbuskirk says.

Teaching can also create challenges and finding new ways to move through those challenges for Vanbuskirk is not always a bad part about the job, as obstacles are there for a reason and creating a plan of action can push those obstacles to the side. “I wouldn’t say it’s my least favorite part of teaching, but the most challenging part of teaching for me is separating work life from home life. I,

“My sixth grade science teacher was the person who told me I would grow up to be a teacher. I’m not sure what she saw in me that led her to that assumption, but she was and still is amazing.”

Ainsley and husband, Ryan, enjoy a relaxing day at the beach.

Contributed photo

like many others, are always in teacher mode, even when I go home. I’m responding to emails, communicating with families, etc. It’s difcult sometimes to turn it of,” Vanbuskirk says.

For educators like Vanbuskirk, teaching has a come a long way over the last several decades and with the advancements of computer technology, Artificial Intelligence and the years of COVID, changes in classroom tools and how information is gathered and delivered to students has changed at a high rate of speed. “During the era of COVID, we had to get innovative and adapt to a new means of teaching. I learned about virtual and blended learning and how to support student learning with other online platforms. We use social media digital tools to reach families. I think these things are here to stay, so as an educator I have to make sure that I stay on top of these things,” Vanbuskirk says.

For many teachers, there is always a sadness that comes

when saying goodbye to your students at the end of each school year. “I feel so connected to the students as I have been with them for so many months watching them learn and grow,” Vanbuskirk says. Her advice for students as they leave comes from one of her favorite quotes, “One of my favorite quotes is from the book “Mae Among the Stars”. ‘If you believe it and work hard for it, anything is possible.’ Hard work and dedication go a long way,” Vanbuskirk says.

Even though schools out, there is no slowing down for Ainsley Vanbuskirk and her family. She is a few short weeks away from the birth of her frst child, a little boy. She is excited and nervous about becoming a mother,

but being a first grade teacher has been great practice. “There is never a dull moment in a frst grade classroom. The children are so full of joy and energy and excitement and I know motherhood will feel that same way,” Vanbuskirk says.

“There is never a dull moment in a first grade classroom. The children are so full of joy and energy and excitement and I know motherhood will feel that same way.”

Ainsley pictured with parents, Kenneth and Diane. Contributed photo

“During the era of COVID, we had to get innovative and adapt to a new means of teaching. I learned about virtual and blended learning and how to support student learning with other online platforms. We use social media digital tools to reach families. I think these things are here to stay, so as an educator I have to make sure that I stay on top of these things.”

Ainsley with Jethro, (he was named by her husband).

Contributed photo

Affordable & Healthy Grocery Shopping

BY CHEF LAISHA BUCK, MPH

Grocery shopping on a budget can be a daunting task, but you can fnd healthy food options at an afordable price. By planning ahead and being mindful of where you shop, you can save money and still eat healthy. Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet and can easily ft into a tight budget. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your dollars.

One way to save money on fruits and vegetables is to buy in season. This is when produce is the freshest and many times lower in cost. Plan your meals around what is in season and you’ll save money and get the freshest produce. Another way to save is to buy frozen fruits and vegetables. Frozen fruits and vegetables are a great way to add nutrients to your diet without breaking the bank.

You can also get more bang for your buck by using the same fruit or vegetable in diferent ways. For example, you can use carrots in a soup, salad and stir-fry. Or, you could use potatoes to make roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes and oven roasted French fries. Get creative and see how many diferent ways you can use produce.

Grocery store sales are another great way to save. Here are a few strategic tips to help you plan your meals around the sales:

1. Make a list of meals you want to make for the week and check the fyers to see what ingredients are on sale.

2. Another great way to save money is to buy in bulk. If an ingredient you need is on sale, buy a larger quantity so you have it on hand for future meals.

3. Use your coupons! This can help you save even more money on your groceries.

4. Plan ahead and be fexible. If you know that a particular item is going to be on sale next week, plan your meals around it. And, if you see a great sale on an ingredient you weren’t expecting, be fexible and adjust your menu accordingly. Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen. With a little trial and error, you can learn to cook new and exciting meals with ingredients you already have on-hand. This can help you break out of your food rut and save you money in the long run.

Air Fryer Ranch Sweet Potato Chips

Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup thin sliced Sweet Potato

1 cup thin sliced Russet Potato

1 tbsp, Extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp, dry ranch seasoning

Instructions:

Thinly slice potatoes. Toss with olive oil so each slice is coated. Sprinkle dry ranch seasoning and coat each slice again. Place a single layer of potatoes in the air fryer. Air Fry at 360º for 7-10 minutes. Shake halfway through to ensure each slice gets cooked evenly.

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING 140 calories; fat 3.5g; saturated fat 0.5g; sodium 260mg; carbohydrates 24g; dietary fber 2g; sugars 2g; protein 2g; calcium 20mg; iron 1mg; potassium 500mg; vitamin A 1420mcg; vitamin C 6mg; vitamin E 0.1mg; vitamin K 2mcg; thiamin 0.1mg; ribofavin .1mg; niacin 1.1mg; vitamin B6 0.4mg; folate 15mcg DFE; pantothenic acid 0.5mg; phosphorus 70mg; magnesium 30mg; zinc 0.4mg; selenium 1mcg; copper 0.1mg; manganese 0.2mg

Chef LaiSha Buck, MPH is a Washington, D.C. native who enjoys creating fusion healthy cuisine. Currently, Chef LaiSha is a WIC nutritionist and breastfeeding coordinator at the Pitt County Health Department. She enjoys educating clients about the benefts of healthy eating.

PHOTO BY Ario Suhodo on Unsplash

Home Decor Interior Design Services Gifts &Jewelry For Every Occasion

Hours: Mon-Sat:10am-6pm

4300 AE10th St Greenville, NC 27858

Hardee Crossings Shopping Center halohomestore.com (252) 864-4256

Teachers!

Congratulations to the

2023-2024 Pitt County Schools Teacher of the Year Finalists!

Nicole Davis

Hometown - Goldsboro, N.C.

Education - Bachelor of science in elementary education with a concentration in reading from East Carolina University

Years Teaching - Six

Susan “Susie” Glynn

Hometown - She has lived in Greenville, N.C. for 37 years.

Education - Bachelor of science in birth through kindergarten teacher education from East Carolina University

Years Teaching - 13

Grace Hayle

Hometown - Rocky Mount, N.C.

Education - Bachelor of fine arts degrees in art education and ceramics, both from East Carolina University.

Years Teaching - Five

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AT RIDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AT G.R. WHITFIELD SCHOOL

VISUAL ARTS TEACHER AT AYDEN-GRIFTON HIGH SCHOOL

2023-2024 Pitt County Schools Teacher of the Year Finalists!

Stacy Knight

Hometown - She has lived in Greenville, N.C. for eight years.

Education - Associate’s degree from Ocean County College in New Jersey; bachelor’s degrees in English and education from East Carolina University, and an additional certificate to teach English as a foreign language.

Years Teaching - Four

Meet Josh May with Tidewat M tgage S vices, Inc.

Mortgages……what comes to mind when you hear that word? If you are anything like I was when I bought my frst house, then the word ‘clueless’ may come to mind. When I bought my frst home over 20 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know about diferent types of loans, what products were available, or whom to trust to answer those questions. I had no credit, very little income, and had never purchased anything in my life. For most frst-time buyers and even second-time buyers, those feelings still ring true. I realized later that my frst mortgage terms were not in my best interest, and that realization has driven me to be the loan ofcer I am today.

My name is Josh May, and I am the Area Sales Manager for Tidewater Mortgage here in Greenville N.C. I have been originating mortgage loans in Greenville for just under 20 years now, and I wish I had someone like me in my corner back when I bought my frst home. Not only can I not remember the person’s name or the company that did my frst loan, but because I now know they didn’t have my best interest at heart, I would not use them again. Because of that experience, I’ve chosen to build lasting relationships with my customers instead of chasing just another loan. The goal for me is to earn your trust to handle all your mortgage needs now, in the future, and for your future generations.

I know the popular way to drum up business might be to highlight my company’s products, present my ‘shiny new toy,’ or tell you about the next big thing. However, I just don’t think that is the eastern North Carolina way. Our products are excellent, but I believe that this is a relationship business, and you cannot build a relationship with a logo, you build it with a person. I was born and raised here in ENC, went to high school and college here, and have raised my family here. I have deep roots in the community, and I have served in many capacities here in Pitt County from coaching multiple youth sports, supporting local women’s programs, and

1516 Greenville Blvd SE, Suite A

Greenville, NC • 252-477-7982

holding homebuyer classes for underprivileged buyers… to name a few. When you do business with me, you are embarking on a journey with someone whom you can always trust to do what is best for you, my client. Nine times out of ten that means helping you get to the fnish line and providing the best product for you and your family, but sometimes that may mean pushing you in a diferent direction that better fts your needs.

In the end, if I am not doing what is best for YOU, then I cannot hang my hat on my commitment to serve this community. That commitment is something I take very seriously, and that is why I ask people to do business with me and not just with the name on the building. Buying a home is potentially the largest investment of your life and you need someone you can trust to walk with you on that amazing path to home-ownership.

Mortgages…..they can be tough, they can be confusing, they can be scary…..but I’m hoping next time you hear the word mortgage, my name comes to mind, and you give me a call at 252-917-7557 or email me at jmay@ twmortgage.com.

A service directory of businesses and non-proft organizations community members.

NC STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING

NC Stop Human Trafcking is a women-owned 501c(3) non-proft organization whose mission is to abolish human trafcking. They educate the community about human trafcking through training and community outreach; develop collaborations and coalitions with agencies and organizations; advocate for stronger anti-human trafcking legislation; and introduce fair trade products into the local market through The Fair Traders Project.

http://ncstophumantrafcking.org

Email - info@encstophumantrafcking.org

organizations within eastern North Carolina who ofer resources and assistance to ask for help, but know you are not alone, help is

a phone call away.

DAUGHTERS OF WORTH

Daughters of Worth provides trauma-informed, comprehensive services for girls and women who are victims of violence, specifcally human trafcking. Through prevention education, case management, advocacy, emergency support, and mental health services, Daughters of Worth empowers survivors to fnd hope for their lives and freedom for their futures. In addition to providing victim services, Daughters of Worth serves more than 500 girls each month through the GLAM Girl (Girls Living a Mission) prevention education program, currently operating in 25 schools throughout Pitt, Beaufort, and Martin Counties.

The Carolina Pregnancy Center is a pro-women, non-proft organization ofering confdential pregnancy services including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and support services for those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. They provide all services at no cost. They also provide services to expectant fathers.

OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY CENTER

Open Door Community Center, a non-proft 501(c)3 organization, was formed in Beaufort County, NC with a mission to assist homeless women and their children within the community. The organization is made up of a partnership of local churches, community service organizations and concerned citizens, seeking to provide a facility and program to ease the burden of women and children’s homelessness throughout the greater Beaufort County community.

The Center for Family Violence Prevention is a private, non-proft agency primarily funded by state, federal and local grants. They have ofces in Pitt, Martin and Washington County. They provides resources and services to victims of domestic violence and their families. Their mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence while enhancing individual self-sufciency and promoting healthy family relationships in the community. If you are experiencing a crisis, you can call the 24hour crisis line at 252-752-3811.

A Few Lessons Learned…

BY COACH CHRIS

If anyone knows me, they will tell you that I am a dedicated lifelong learner. I strongly believe in education. I believe in investing in personal development, professional development and any other educational opportunities that lend themselves to becoming better. I want to share a few lessons that I learned from an educator that I had in my life. Now, this educator was not formally trained in education, nor did he ever win an award for “teacher of the year” but I will tell you, he taught me things that have shaped the trajectory of my life and that of others around him. I am talking about my daddy, Alonzia Hinton. I was very fortunate to share time and space with him for 34 years of my life and there were things he taught me that would be considered “life skills” and I want to share a few of those lessons that I learned with you.

In 2013, my father passed from this life to the next and I will tell you that this “exit event” as I have termed it, changed my life. My daddy was a great man. He was the kind of man who never met a stranger, never denied people a second chance and never gave up hope regardless of hellish situations. He was a fghter--if you will. He was the kind of person that would take a “licking and keep on ticking”, so to

speak. He had a statement that I live by now, “it is what it is, if it ain’t what it ought to be.” In other words, if things are not what you think they should be, accept them for where they are and that frees you to change them.

Here are the lessons that I want to share:

LESSON #1: My daddy taught me, “Prepare for a rainy day because a rainy day is coming.” In other words, life has trouble built into it, so don’t be surprised when the rain comes. Initially, I would think to myself, “pop, you are being so negative” but the longer l live, the more I realize he was right. It is not that he was teaching me to sit and anticipate trouble, he was simply teaching me, “prepare just in case it comes”. I told you; my daddy was a wise man. Wisdom is such a valuable gift and I believe that my daddy possessed that gift.

LESSON #2: Another lesson that he taught me was, “You can’t win the fght if you don’t get in the ring.” In other words, if you are not willing to fght for what you want, and go after it, you certainly will not get it. Plain and simple, right? My daddy believed in the power of educating yourself so that you could be positioned properly to come out of whatever situation that you were in. He used to tell me all

the time, “whatever you get in your head cannot be taken from you.” He believed that if you want to win, you have to keep swinging. He did not believe in just laying down and letting life run you over. No, he would push me to dry my tears, wipe my face and get back out there. He believed that just because you experience something negative, it did not mean that you just lay there and not turn it into something better. He pushed me to keep fghting, even when it didn’t look like I was winning because eventually— things would shift. And, I have learned that to be so true.

LESSON #3: Another lesson my daddy taught me is, “Everything that glitters ain’t gold.” Now, admittedly, this used to throw me of because I did not fully understand what my daddy was trying to communicate…until I lived a little longer. What he was trying to say was this “Take your time and research, evaluate, inspect and ask questions” before you make any moves that are critical for your life. This applies to relationships, health, money, career path and even fun. When I was younger, I had the tendency to just jump out and do things without counting the costs…especially if the situation “looked okay” and it was shiny and attractive at the surface level. I have since learned through various trials and errors to take my time and make sure that what I am “looking” at is really “gold”.

LESSON #4: My daddy also used to say “Listen, you ain’t got not one nickel in that dime.” I would laugh until I cried because what he was basically saying was “hey, mind your business and leave other folks business alone.” This was critical and still is a valuable lesson because often times, when you meddle in things that have no concern to you, you end up creating more problems that you simply should have just stayed away from in the frst place. My daddy taught me to keep my mouth closed about things that I don’t have all the context for. In other words, he would tell me “you don’t know all the facts so you can’t be talking no smack.” This is a lesson that I wish I could scream from the top of my lungs because it would have saved so much heartache for so many of us.

LESSON #5: Here is another lesson my daddy taught me that has become the theme of my life: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” I used to laugh every time my daddy would make this statement because I thought it was the cutest thing. However, the fact of the matter is: this one statement has shaped my message to the world which is to “take care of yourself. Don’t get lost in your labels. Take a moment and come out from your cave (of work, of cleaning the house, of being involved on this board and that organization) and see the world…

it is a beautiful place.” My daddy taught me that yes, work is important, but play is equally important. He used to tell me “Baby girl, sometimes, you have to just stop and sit down… take a break because your mind and body needs it.” He also used to say to me, “you can’t work all the time and never get any rest…it makes you dull.” I know this to be so true because I have had times when I was addicted to work. I felt like I was climbing this grand ladder trying to “make it to the top” but the truth is, I was missing so much of the journey racing to the destination. I have since learned how to slow down and play. You see, my daddy’s death was sobering for me because as I stood at the head of his grave while they were lowering him into the ground, I realized that this great man (this EDUCATOR in his own right) had shaped my life beyond what I can put into words. I stood there with silent tears streaming down my face, not because I had regrets but because we had reached a place where I had to keep walking this life without him. His lessons, his wise sayings, his smile, his encouragement, and his push for me to go after what is in my heart still motivates me even as I type this piece of writing. My daddy was a great man. He was a great teacher. He was great at encouraging me and taught me things that I will pass on to my daughter as the process of time continues. I am thankful for all the lessons my daddy, Alonzia Hinton taught me.

Christy Jones, also know as Coach Chris, is an improvement coach for leaders. She helps them break free from feeling overwhelmed and prepares them to take their teams to high levels of performance. Contact her at www. beginmonday.com.

“My daddy was a great man. He was a great teacher. He was great at encouraging me and taught me things that I will pass on to my daughter...”

Ming Dynasty, located in the Rivergate Shopping Center of 10th Street beside Ollie’s in Greenville, N.C., has been open for thirty-seven years. They specialize in Mandarin, Schezwan and Cantonese dishes with sweet and savory elements in a variety of ways ofering layered, textured, and rich, diverse regional favors. Owner, Mary Yuen along with Chef de Cuisine, Steven Zhou and a courteous staf strive to make sure you have a wonderful dining experience or easily order take-out. Ming Dynasty has built a steady following of customers. These loyal customers and their support from the community are just a few of the reasons the restaurant has stayed open for so long.

The expansive menu features traditional appetizers and entrees like spring rolls, fried rice options, lo mein noodles, beef, pork, chicken, seafood and hibachi items, as well as a variety of chow mein and egg foo young dishes. They also ofer low calorie and vegetarian options. Ming Dynasty has a full service bar, as well as dine-in lunch and dinner service. Lunch hours are 11a.m. to 2:30p.m Monday-Friday and Sunday 12p.m.-3p.m. Dinner hours are MondayThursday 4-9:30p.m., Friday 4p.m.-10p.m. and Saturday 4p.m.- 10p.m. For more information or to place your togo order, call 252-752-7111. You can also view their entire menu on their website www.mingdynastygreenville.com.

Looking

Here

SHOPPING FUN UNIQUE &

TEACHERS GIFTS

LAVENDER SHE’S BIRDIE PERSONAL SAFETY ALARM

Give someone the gift of safety with a personal safety alarm featuring a 130db siren alarm and bright strobe light designed to deter an attacker. Birdie comes with a solid brass keychain for easy transport.

itssowright.com

CRYSTAL SEED BEADED COIN PURSE

This is the perfect gift for that special teacher featuring hand beaded accents of cofee and pencils for a fun and charming gift any teacher would love.

shimmerboutiqueonline.com

is a selection of fun and unique gifts!

for the perfect gift for a special teacher or educator?

WILLOW TREE® YOU’RE THE BEST TEACHER ANGEL FIGURINE

Say thank you to a teacher or role model for making a diference in the lives they touch every day with this teacher themed angel fgurine. Available at Kendall’s Hallmark store in Greenville, N.C.

hallmark.com

BAGUERI ROSE BRUT

Help your teacher celebrate the end of the school year with wine. This Chardonnay - Pinot Noir from Slovenia is antique pink in color and further enriched by warm golden hues. An outstanding blend reveals a subtle bouquet taking us to a gentle red fruit and citrus aroma. This wine ofers a satin-like texture with a clear raspberry aftertaste and lingering freshness. Visit Sweet Aji in Greenville to tour their wide selection of wines and foods from around the world.

sweetaji.com

99 POMLEMS BATH BOMB

Want to tell your teachers they’re the bomb? Then give them a relaxing bath bomb from Buf City Soap. There are dozens of scents and varieties to choose from. The 99 Pomlems bath bomb features notes of lemon, pomegranate and cream.

buffcitysoap.com

GIFT CERTIFICATE TO WILDFLOWER FLORIST

The perfect way to brighten up anyone’s day is to get them a gift certifcate to Wildfower Florist. The store has fun gifts and a fower bar where you can create a one-of-a kind wildfower bouquet featuring seasonal stems and blooms.

wildflowerfloristnc.com

EUROPEAN FACIAL

After a long year of teaching, gift your favorite teacher an oasis of nurturing, rest and healing with a facial. This 50 minute facial ofers you cleansing, exfoliation, steam, two specially selected benefcial masks, extractions, plus treatment products. As a thank-you to the dedicated teachers helping to shape the minds of the youth of Pitt County, The Spa at Merle Norman ofers a 10% discount to all ECU, PCC, and Pitt County school faculty members Tuesdays-Fridays.

thespamerlenorman.com

PENCIL & SUCCULENT PHOTO CLIP

Show your appreciation for your teacher by gifting them this cute ceramic photo clip ofering a bright yellow pencil base fll with brown pebbles, a green plastic succulent, and a silver met clip with an attached pink card that can be removed. hobbylobby.com

MY LOVELY TEACHER COLORING BOOK

Give your teacher the gift of relaxation with 30 fun coloring pages. It’s the perfect gift for anyone that loves their teacher, or a great thank you teacher gift. Available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers. bn.com

THANK YOU CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES BOX

Saying thank you never tasted so good. Spread good cheer by gifting a teacher a tasty Edible Arrangements treat of twelve fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate. ediblearrangements.com

PUZZLES & GAMES

Youare your own best advocate for your breast health. And if you choose to have your annual mammogram at the Easter n Radiologists Breast Imaging Center,you gain the strength of the region’s rst Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

Everything we do from the stateof-the-art equipment we maintain to the additional, subspecialized training of our doctors is designed to give you the best chance at early detection. Schedule online at schedulemymammography.com

Ainsley VanBuskirk

GREENVILLE, N.C. • age 34

Tell us about your family: I am one of four children; the next to oldest. I am married to my best friend, Ryan, and we are expecting our first child in August.

Hobbies: Watching mysteries and criminal investigation shows. I love to try to solve the case before the reveal.

Favorite subject in school and why? As a child, math was my favorite. There were so many different strategies and ways to solve a problem. As a teacher, reading has definitely become my passion.

If you could have dinner with any famous person dead or alive, who would it be and why? Mae Jemison. She’s fascinating. She’s someone that I enjoy teaching my students about. She’s a go-getter.

Signature scent: Vanilla

Favorite outfit: Jeans and Vans. Something comfortable.

Favorite movie: The Godfather

Favorite place to visit and why? The beach is my favorite place to visit. Emerald Isle and Carolina Beach are two of my favorites. They’re both nice quick getaway spots. There’s nothing more relaxing than listening to the ocean and soaking up sun.

Mae C. Jemison, First African American Woman in Space

Photo from nasa.gov