Meet Kathy
A Mom on a Mission.
Kathy Meyer Larson is A Mom on a Mission to be a voice for public school students, parents, and teachers in Wayne County, NC.
Team LARSON: Patrick & Kathy Larson
Caleb: 11th grade at Wayne School of Engineering
Elijah: 7th grade at Wayne School of Engineering
Abby: 5th grade at Spring Creek Middle School
Background & Education
As much as I think my education and experience give me a unique perspective that is needed on the Wayne County Board of Education, I think it's my heart for ALLLLL the kids that will make me a force for change in our county.
My childhood in WCPS:
K-1: Carver Elementary in Mt. Olive
2-6: Carver Heights, School Street, and Dillard
7-8: Goldsboro Junior High
9: Goldsboro High School
10-12: Eastern Wayne High School, c/o '95
College:
Eastern University, St. David's, PA, Templeton Honors College B.A. in Youth Ministry, minors in Business and Biblical Studies
Graduate School:
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary M.A. in Old Testament, concentration in Leviticus
Work History:
1999-2018: Director of Christian Education and Creative Arts, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC
2010-present: Adjunct Faculty, Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary - Old Testament, Youth Ministry, Christian Education
2011-present: Curriculum Writer, Docent Content Group - writing Bible study curriculum for megachurches all over the country and helping pastors with their books
Experience & Involvement
To get an idea of what I can bring to the table if elected to the Wayne County Board of Education, take a look at what our leadership team has been able to accomplish at our school over the last few years:
- raised $$ to buy laptops for students who didn't have their own for virtual learning during the COVID pandemic
- advocated to create a new car rider line in a safer location to prevent further accidents
- raised $$ to buy a new school sign
- got trees donated for shade on both playgrounds
- raised $$ and advocated to replace playground equipment
- got landscaping materials and labor donated and volunteers to beautify our school entrance
- got a team of volunteers and professionals who donated time and resources to restore our baseball fields
All of that is on top of the community events, teacher appreciation and support, and student activities we created. What will I bring to the table? Passion, hard work, vision, leadership, collaboration, and a get-it-done spirit.
Spring Creek Elementary PTA - President
- rebuilt SCES PTA post-COVID
- Before rebuilding the PTA, during the COVID shutdowns and virtual school, Kathy and Patrick independently raised money to buy Chromebooks for students in 3rd and 4th grade at SCES who didn't have computers at home, before WCPS was able to provide them for all students. Because of regulations, they had to do this privately outside of WCPS structure and funds.
- raised money to not only fund our PTA budget, but also to replace school sign, replace playground equipment, update landscaping, add trees to playground for shade, restore baseball fields, and for future long-term projects - playground updates, shade for playground, and shade for car rider line
- created new community events - spirit nights, movie nights, Fall Festival, talent show
- created new programs for teacher appreciation and student enrichment
- supported Special Olympics, Field Day, Book Fair, Battle of the Books, Art to Remember
- advocated to school board, county commissioners, and DOT to move car rider line to different location for student/family/teacher safety
- advocated to NCDHHS for various school safety issues
Cub Scouts - Cubmaster & Den Leader, Pack 3
- rebuilt pack post-COVID, growing from 7 scouts to over 45 scouts
- volunteered at the council level to plan camps, teach adventures, and plan events
Spring Creek Youth Association - President
- started as soccer director, board member, then treasurer, now President
- rebuilt baseball/softball/t-ball program, raised funds to update fields, got sponsorships, etc
- gathered a team of volunteers and professionals who donated time to restore our baseball fields
- rebuilt flag football program, still working on rebuilding tackle football
- created new volleyball & tennis programs
Wayne County Youth Recreation Association
- worked with other associations across Wayne County to rebuild a Wayne County Rec Baseball/Softball/T-ball league
- created new volleyball & tennis league
Generation Church
- worship team singer, Bible study teacher, volunteer
Bethel Church
- teaching content team, small group leader, nursery volunteer