South County Profile: Kasey Cummings

KASEY CUMMINGS

Kasey Cummings was born in Redding in 1972. Her family then moved to Mount Shasta where she attended high school. She graduated high school in 1990. Cummings then attended College of the Siskyous and earned her Associates in Arts degree in General Education. She then took a few classes at Shasta College to be able to continue on to Chico State University to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts, going on to National University in Redding to receive her teaching credentials and her Masters Degree.

Cummings received her teaching credentials in 2003 and began teaching at St. Francis Middle School. In 2005 Cummings became a teacher for Westwood Charter School.

"Teaching at Westwood Charter School is the best job I have ever had. I am able to get to know the students and their families on an individual basis. It is nice to have a one-on-one atmosphere," said Cummings.

Cummings feels that working with the children she teachers is an awesome experience. Their ages are different across the board. The ages of the students at Westwood Charter School are from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. This variation of grades makes for many different curriculum's to work with through different stages, books, subjects and grades. The students are also able to go on a variety of field trips and experience things that are not available to other students.

"My favorite part of being a home school teacher is being able to see the students grow individually, academically and to help them to be able to participate in other events such as motocross racing, rodeo and other activities, in which they would not be able to do while in school," said Cummings.

Cummings finds that the community is supportive of the school, donating books that are for all ages and help bring ideas to the table to get the students involved in. Cummings has 24 students at Westwood Charter School that she works with on a daily to weekly basis.

Name: Kasey Cummings.

Born where and when: Redding, 1972.

Occupation: Independent Study Teacher.

Marital Status: Married to Alan Cummings for four years.

Family: My husband Alan, son Leslie, 8, and daughter Alexis, 5.

Pets: Two fish.

My worst job: Peeling Lodge Pole Pines for fencing.

My first job: Working as a life guard in Alturas.

In my spare time I: Watch my children play sports and on television. My son plays football and my husband coaches.

My favorite book: The Thornbirds,

My favorite movie: How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.

My favorite recording artist: There are too many to list.

My dream car: A pearl white Cadillac Escalade.

My friends like me because: I laugh a lot and I am a good listener.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: My husband, children, food and shelter.

The one thing in life I've learned is: Money isn't everything, but it sure does help.

The best advice my parents gave me: To get an education.

My most embarrassing moment: The list is long.

My most irrational act: I am not an irrational person.

My most valued material possession: My home and our vehicles.

What I like best about the North State: The diversity in climate, it is close to many different cities, towns and experiences.

My hero is: My dad, because he never gave up.

My pet peeve is: Kids not brushing their teeth or having good hygiene.

My fantasy is: To win the lottery.

If I could change one thing about myself, I would: Be in good enough shape to run a marathon.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: A lower unemployment rate.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: My children and watching them grow.