Joyce Whitley:

Hello, My name is Mrs. Joyce Whitley. 

I have been with Caldwell County Schools since 1995. I began as an Exceptional Student's Assistant at William Lenoir Middle School and Gamewell middle while I was attending Appalachian State University. I earned my Degree in Special Education and later returned to get an add on license in secondary English. I taught Exceptional students as well as co-taught high school English for 10 years at West Caldwell. When the offer came up to return home to William Lenoir I am sure I said "yes" before the question was completed. William Lenoir has always been my home. 

I have been asked many times, "Why did you decide to be a teacher"? The only answer I have is that it has always been a part of who I am. When I was in second grade I helped in the kindergarten classes. When I was in middle school I took a class that allowed me to go to the adjacent elementary school and be an assistant for a fourth grade teacher. Once I was in high school I turned my attention to taking childhood development classes in order to acquire the knowledge of how to teach the right skills at the right time so that a child could advance through life gaining one skill on top of another. It has just always been in my blood. I find nothing else as rewarding as seeing the light turn on and a student grasp a concept he / she has been struggling with for some time. 

A little about me: I was born and raised in San Diego, CA and moved to Caldwell County in 1993. I have been married to my husband Robert for going on 39 years and we have two sons. Both sons graduated from West Caldwell High School. I have two beautiful granddaughters, a grandson and lots of grandpets. In my free time I love watching my San Diego Padres, kayaking with my husband and traveling to the beach or the mountains.