Employment History:

Published Works:
United Methodist Church’s women’s newsletter and the Los Angeles District Page of Circuit West, a national newspaper of the United Methodist Church.

Public Speaking Experience:

Why F is an Expert:
Perhaps my greatest asset is my years of experience in education (as a teacher, department chairwoman, reading program coordinator, counselor, dean of students, head counselor and assistant principal) in several different schools in the Los Angeles area.

Best Advice:
I would advise colleagues to network, stay connected with each other and work as members of a team at whatever site they are assigned to. Also, I strongly encourage colleagues to take care of themselves (physically and emotionally) so that they can, in turn, take care of others.

Passionate about:
Fairness, justice and equal access to educational opportunities for all students regardless of their background.

Biography Excerpt:
Children at Wilmington Middle School in the Los Angeles Unified School District know that in a time of need, they can count on their assistant principal, Bette Caldwell, as well as their parents and friends. Recognized as a “go-to person” for many of the school’s administrative matters and general operational procedures, Ms. Caldwell holds the children’s education and well-being as her most important priority. One of her major duties is to oversee the master schedule of class offerings by various teachers throughout the day. The Master of Arts in education she earned with a specialization in school counseling from Loyola-Marymount University in1973 prepared her to lead a staff of seven counselors who interact directly with students, and to delegate appropriate responses in crisis intervention and threat assessment situations. Moreover, Ms. Caldwell works closely with teachers in the English and English as a Second Language departments to develop and tailor the curricula.

     

Cambridge Who's Who: How do you remain current in your profession?  
BETTE A CALDWELL :  I am fortunate to work for the Los Angeles Unified School District; they provide continuous staff development sessions. Additionally, I do a great deal of reading of professional journals and attend conferences frequently.

Do you have a motto or principle that guides your work?
Our school’s mission statement, created several years ago, is one that I believe in very strongly: “Wilmington Middle School students shall become independent self-reliant citizens who can set goals, create opportunities and empower themselves to change their lives.” I also embrace the idea of believing that students can accomplish and helping them to increase their self-esteem.

What is the most difficult obstacle or challenge you have faced in pursuit of your goals?
Probably the greatest challenge I have faced is how to balance all aspects of my life – school, church, community service, Delta Kappa Gamma – without burning out.