Advisor of the Month: Paula Clifton

by | Nov 1, 2019 | NTHS News

The staff at NTHS is eternally grateful for the hard work, perseverance, and effort all our Advisors pour into their roles as NTHS leadership, and into their students on a daily basis. We know that we literally could not continue our mission to honor high-achieving Career and Technical Education students all across the nation without their constant support and dedication.

But every once in a while, we’re just dazzled by an Advisor that truly goes above and beyond to engage and enrich their NTHS members… And these people are truly our shining stars!

So this month, we’d like to introduce you to our friend, Paula Clifton.

Paula has been an NTHS Advisor for 4 years, and she’s a a full–time instructor, Director, and Advisor for the Early Childhood Care and Education Department at Ogeechee Technical College.

We asked her a few questions so we could get to know her a little better…

Why is Career and Technical Education important to you?

I am an ambassador for Career and Technical College by helping students find their path into the workforce by overcoming many obstacles and challenges they may find themselves in to become successful members in their field of study. One of my passions is advising. I find complete joy in getting to know our students. I discover who they are as students, their goals, dreams, and aspirations. I find options with scholarships, incentives, awards, and many other resources to make sure our students are successful. 

As the leader of your school’s NTHS chapter, what accomplishments (yours or your students’) are you most proud of?

A moment that sticks out as being extremely memorable is a moment with an agency we specifically we work with, Safe Haven. It is a home for woman and children suffering and trying to escape from Domestic Violence. We have invited stakeholders from Safe Haven to an Induction and Pinning Ceremony to award them with the NTHS Honorary Membership Plaque. They were very emotional when we presented this token to them. This it was it is all about! I am fulfilled when we as a club serve as humanitarians to help others and see the rewards, hope, and happiness it brings unto others.  

Have you done any activities, projects, campaigns, and/or community outreach with your NTHS chapter that you feel were successful? Tell us about them!

I am also the Advisor for The National Technical Honor Society for our chapter. I have been an active member with NTHS since 2016 and attended numerous NTHS, GFLC and Skills USA Leadership Conferences, competitions, trainings, and rehearsals, etc. with my chapter state and local officers. The last two years I have had to the privilege to nominate 4 state officers from our local chapter that have served successfully as advocates for NTHS. I have enjoyed serving as a judge at the NTHS competitions and found it very rewarding. We have quite a large presence on campus and have about 50 graduating NTHS members each year at graduation wearing their NTHS stoles, tassels, and pins. It is an amazing photograph the school likes to share. We host a formal Induction and Pinning Ceremony twice a year and invite the member’s family and friends to partake in their special and rewarding day they have achieved with academic excellence and leadership amongst their peers. We have many ongoing fundraisers, community projects, volunteer activities, etc. that help members in our community and build leadership skills in our students and NTHS officers and members. For example, we have provided treats, cards, and supplies for children at various holidays such as Valentines, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We sponsored a Corn Hole Tournament, fan drive, canned food drive, and clothing drive that give back to agencies in need. We also contribute to local charities, soup kitchens, and nursing homes to strengthen and build relationships with our community members. As an Early Childhood instructor, I am an advocate for children and family literacy. We are in discussion about our next upcoming fundraiser to revolve around children’s books to distribute for families in need. 

Tell us a little about you… Your family? Your pets? Your hobbies and interests?

I have lived in Southeast Georgia for over 26 years. I have 2 children. My daughter Morgan (18), just graduated high school and the duel enrollment program at Georgia Southern University (GSU). She is attending Pre-Law at Kennesaw State University majoring in Business Management and Legal Studies. My daughter has been active in competition coed cheerleading, volleyball, softball, 4-H, and FFA Livestock Show Team. She is also involved in many academic clubs, honors, church youth group, and works part time. My son Jesse (13) is in 8th grade. He has been active in Technology Student Association (TSA), golf team, football, wrestling, swim team, Boy Scouts, FFA, AG Mechanics team, 4-H Archery Team, and church youth group.  We recently rescued 2 Chihuahua sister puppies and are a precious part of our family.

I am active in the community and held positions with Early Childhood IFCC Executive Committee, several Early Childhood Advisory Committees, Board of Education, Boy Scouts of America, 4-H, and FFA. As a late stage breast cancer survivor, I enjoy participating and volunteering with local charities such as Susan G. Komen, Relay for Life, Making Strides, and Tickled Pink 5K.  In my spare time, I enjoy being with my family! My hobbies include cooking, camping, fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, four-wheeling, riding motorcycles, and horseback riding.  We enjoy traveling, exploring, adventure, and cruising to new destinations.  We seem to always be on the go and taking lots of pictures!

Thank you for all you do, Paula!!!

If you know of an NTHS Advisor that you’d like to nominate to be featured as our Advisor of the Month, email tblack@nths.org and let us know!