KAFCS Member Spotlight

KAFCS turns the spotlight on individuals, their experiences, and how they have benefited from KAFCS membership and/or family and consumer science programs. It offers an opportunity for you to share your story with your colleagues and the greater FCS community, inspire future FCS professionals, and strengthen awareness of the profession and association.

Isn’t it your turn to grab the spotlight? Download a submission form here!

Deb Evans

Fredonia, Kansas

Member since 1986

Deb Evans is the middle school FCS Teacher at Fredonia Middle School in Fredonia, Kansas. She began her teaching career in 1980 and is currently in her 33^rd year at Fredonia. Mrs. Evans teaches 6th grade FCS, 7^th grade Life Skills, 7^th/8^th FCS and Life Skills 2 in addition to being a very involved FCCLA adviser of the Fredonia Middle chapter. One of her most recent accomplishments is having 13 students competing in 7 STAR Events this year at SLC in April. Deb stays active in guiding her FCS students and FCCLA members in multiple community service projects and attending state and national conferences.

What prompted you to join KAFCS…how long have you been a member? Describe your volunteer activities at the state and national levels.

I have been as a ACTE/KCTE member since 1980 but when the 1986 AAFCS Conference was in Kansas City, I wanted to attend. I attended the meeting and I have been a member ever since. I think it is very important for FCS professionals to get involved in their professional organizations. It gives you an opportunity to stay up on current trends in our profession and also I enjoy the networking that occurs with other FCS professionals. I have been involved at the district level as the District J Treasurer. I was the KAFCS Teacher of the Year in 1993-94. I have also been a workshop presenter at the UAC meetings throughout the years.

What is the best part about belonging to a professional organization such as KAFCS?

I enjoy the networking with other professionals, going to conferences and getting new ideas to use in the classroom.

What is the best part of working in an FCS professional setting? What is the greatest source of job satisfaction for you?

We help students become prepared for skills they will use everyday. I enjoy our curriculum and feel it is relevant to the students today and also in their future. FCCLA is a great opportunity for students to develop the skills they will need when they begin their careers. It also gives them needed skills to be on their own or when they have a family. I am most proud of watching my students grow into leaders in our community.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an FCS professional? How did you handle that situation?

I have been very lucky to be in a school district that supports the FCS curriculum and our FCCLA chapters at the middle school and high school. I would say one challenge is at times having low numbers in my classes. I am always willing to have more students and never complain even if they are maybe a little too large for a nutrition lab. We just make it work and am thankful for the students that are interested in the FCS curriculum.

I am very proud of my family. My husband, of almost 35 years has always been supportive and has come to learn that the extra hours I spend away from home are helping young people to grow and become productive members of society. He knows that I enjoy what I do. I am also proud of my children and their families. They were both involved in FCCLA and qualified for nationals in FCCLA STAR Events. I am also proud of all of the students that have been successful in STAR Events. I have had students qualify for national STAR Events all but one year since 1982 to the present.