She led other kids on wild romps around the island. She has always been enterprising, unafraid, and interested in the world around her.
Joan spent the first part of her professional life working as an educator in rural Alaska, living in remote villages with few amenities. She and her daughter, Aurora, are now calling Ocracoke home.
Ocracoke Current: How long did you live in Alaska? How often do you go back to visit?
Joan: I lived in Alaska a total of 12 years. I guess I go back when the mood strikes me.
Ocracoke Current: What did you miss the most about Ocracoke while you were living in Alaska?
Joan: I missed my family the most. It was great having some of them come up to visit over the years, and others stay up there for a while. Technology, especially Skype, really made it seem not so far away.
Ocracoke Current: What have you been up to lately?
Joan: Lately, I have been preparing to teach my night class. I teach various education courses throughout the year for the University of Alaska Fairbanks via distance. In a couple of weeks, I will begin instructing a course called Developing Children as Writers. It is a fun way to stay connected with the field of education and people in Alaska.
I'm currently working for NCDOT at the Ferry Operations as Security.
Ocracoke Current: How did you become a Blue Devil fan?
Joan: I became a Duke fan way back in elementary school. I realized that the island had way too many Carolina fans and I never liked following the crowd.
Ocracoke Current: What's your favorite time of year?
Joan: Fall. In Alaska it is because it is moose season, the beginning of snowfall and the smell of woodstoves. Here on Ocracoke, it's because the tourist season is ending.
Ocracoke Current: What's one of your favorite things to do?
Joan: Go out in the boat.
Ocracoke Current: What did you have for dinner last night?
Joan: For dinner last night I had steamed oysters that Steven Wilson brought me.
Ocracoke Current: What's the last book you read?
Joan: The last book I read was for work. I was reviewing a text called Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction. If I'm reading for pleasure, I tend to prefer historical and true-to-life stories. I like to read about places I've been and the native peoples and culture there.
Ocracoke Current: What's the farthest you've been away from Ocracoke?
Joan: Farthest north I've ever been is Point Barrow, Alaska. Farthest south is Dominical, Costa Rica. In the US, the farthest south I've been is Oahu, Hawaii. Farthest east is the Gulf Stream off of Ocracoke somewhere. The farthest west is Nome, Alaska.
