Wednesday, July 2, 2003
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Wednesday, July 2, 2003 |
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Willingham inspires writers group "Story telling goes back to biblical times," said Jane Sparks Willingham in another in a series of renowned speakers at the Fayette Writers Group. She enlightened and entertained her audience with her wit and mastery of story telling. A native of Georgia, Willingham graduated from Swainboro High School in 1940. A love for English coupled with a love for theater sparked this young woman to follow her dream. She pursued acting in local productions at Erlanger Theater, Emory University and Georgia College. Willingham's dedication to drama took her to the Plymouth Drama Festival in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1943, where she continued expanding her knowledge. Keeping attuned to her written interests as well, Willingham was the editor of The Corinthian, the Georgia State College literary magazine for two years where she studied English Education. This profound, highly motivated young woman went on to become the second woman announcer in the Southern region with news reporting at WSB Radio and a weekly program, "Adventures in Music." Over the next ten years her passion for story telling grew. Willingham did not stop there. She became the Woman's Program Director at WSB Radio and Television with her own weekly programs as well as and others. In the 1950s and 60s she freelanced as a commentator for fashion shows and later wrote and directed Atlanta's first series of live drama on WAGA-TV for the Atlanta Lawyers Club and other programs on WSB-TV. Earning her masters degree in English education from Georgia State University in 1975, Willingham was the head of the English Department at Lakeshore High School from 1974 to 1987 and became a member of the steering committee in 1981 to develop and write the new English curriculum for Fulton County. No stranger to success, Willingham is member to countless professional organizations, among those The National Education Association, Georgia Association of Educators, Honorary society for Teachers, Southern Order of Storytellers, and The National Council Teachers of English to name a few. Throughout Willingham's dynamic life and career she also earned numerous awards. In 1981 she was awarded fifth district Teacher of the year by the Georgia Council of Teachers. That year she also became the state winner of the Instructional Fair sponsored by the Georgia Association of Educators for the Bronze Reminiscence project. Following being named Star Teacher at Lakeshore High School she was elected Fulton County Teacher of the year in 1983. Then in 1985 she was the recipient of the George Washington Honor Medal awarded by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, a national yearly award presented to only eleven educators. Being successful indeed, Willingham retired in 1990 and enjoys life with her husband Frank Doty Willingham, her three children: Stephen, David and Carol and her three grandchildren: Christopher, Melissa and Justin. Jane's hobbies still include storytelling, English and singing in the choir at the Southwest Christian church. The Fayette Writers Group wishes to let Willingham know that she is truly an inspiration.
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