Patty Almond of Redding moved to Shasta County in April of 1995 from Morgan Hill, California to support her husband John in his career choice as the Superintendent of Schools for the Anderson Union High School District. He has since retired from the district.

Almond is a secretary at New Technology High School in Anderson. In addition to her secretarial responsibilities, she plays the role of being mom or counselor to many students

Almond’s favorite part of the job is working with the students. She is able to joke with them, laugh with them, cry with them and most importantly, watch them succeed in the things that they do.

Almond has been at New Technology High School for three years. Before working there, she spent eight years as a secretary at Happy Valley Elementary School.

“You need to always look at the positive side of things and to stay up-beat. That really helps the kids,” said Almond.

When she is not working, Almond likes to spend her time with her family, gardening, reading, cooking, and sitting out on the back deck at their home listening to the frogs and looking at the mountains.

“As a family, we have a Thanksgiving tradition of going bowling then going back to the house to enjoy dinner together,” said Almond. “My one wish in life is to live long enough to see both of my daughters get married, have children and become a grandma.”

Almond graduated from Hughson High School in Hughson, Calif. in 1974.

She attended Andon College in San Jose receiving her degree as a medical assistant. Almond and her husband John have been married for 27 years.

Almond’s philosophy of life is to “Live each day as if it were the last.”

Name: Patty Almond.

Born where and when: Gilroy, Ca. Ages Ago.

Occupation: Jack of all trades at New Technology High School.

Marital Status: Married to husband John.

Family: Two girls, Kristen, 23, and Melissa, 21.

Pets: A fox terrier named, “Foxy;” two cats, “Alley,” the alley cat and “Mooch” the cat that moved in with us.

My worst Job: Cleaning out barns, but at least it was quiet.

My first job: Picking prunes.

In my spare time I: Garden and spend time with my kids.

My favorite book: The Confession.

My favorite movie: Dr. Zhivago.

My favorite recording artist: Neil Diamond.

My dream car: A black Porsche.

My friends like me because: I am always smiling, in a good mood and I have a positive attitude.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: My family, a Porsche and a couple of horses.

The one thing in life I’ve learned is: Nothing ever stays the same in life so you have to be flexible.

The best advice my parents gave me: Always be courteous, use please and thank you. Always respect others, especially adults.

My most embarrassing moment was: In elementary school, the teacher warned us to be quiet or we would fail the test. Another student asked me a question so I answered it and got an “F.”

My most irrational act: I walked out of work one day and went to Santa Cruz with out telling anyone.

My most valued material possession: The lava bowl that my mother bathed me in when I was a baby.

What I like best about the North State: The winters, people and the jobs I’ve had here.

My hero is: My husband.

My pet peeve is: When someone makes fun of others to make themselves look good.

My fantasy is: To someday own a black Porsche.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: Like to not hold a grudge when someone hurts my feelings.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: More versatile career opportunities so that families would not have to move out of state.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Being able to meet and laugh with other people.