Kim Kluxen Meredith Susan Perkins, SW Regional Director
Keynote Speaker International Guest
Keynote Speaker International Guest
Kim Kluxen Meredith retired from teaching in 2014 after a long career as an ESL teacher/coordinator for the Donegal School District and as a High School Spanish teacher in both the Donegal School District and the Hempfield School District in Pennsylvania.
Prior, Kim enjoyed a brief career as a commercial litigation paralegal at White and Williams law firm in Philadelphia and at Armstrong World Industries in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Kim’s sudden widowhood, at age forty in 1993, was the catalyst for her new-found writing career. Her first book, Listen for the Whispers: Coping with Grief and Learning to Live Again (Cable Publishing 2010) won a 2013 Silver Medal from the Military Writers Society of America in the spiritual/inspirational category. It became her platform book for speaking engagements both nation-wide and in Canada for Soaring Spirits International, a grief support organization. Kim also conducted two radio broadcasts with Open to Hope, another national grief support foundation. In addition, her numerous grief focused articles have been published in various print and in on-line magazines.
In 2018, Kim’s second book, Ocean Whispers (Yurchak Printing), was released and continued her theme of whispers. It is a collection of her photographs of forty-two seashells that she discovered in Ocean City, New Jersey along with corresponding inspirational thoughts.
Today, inspired by her grandchildren, Kim has shifted her focus to writing children’s picture books. For the illustrations, Kim partnered with an accomplished Lancaster, Pennsylvania artist, Lisa Madenspacher. Together they have produced three story books about the adventures of a hermit crab family. Each book has a universal message for young readers and their families.
Henri’s Home (2020) highlights the importance of family as Henri searches for his way back home after a storm.
Henri to the Rescue (2021) emphasizes the importance of diversity and working together with his new friend, Simon the Sea Turtle.
Heidi Saves the Day (2023) features the strength of girl power by Henri’s sister, Heidi, in a challenging situation with Olivia, the Octopus.
Kim has published five stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. She also has many published pieces in various anthologies, in print and online magazines, and maintains a blog on her web site. Details of her work can be seen at www.kimkluxenmeredith.com.
Originally from a small village in upstate New York, Kim has lived in Lancaster County since 1977. She feels fortunate to be surrounded by the beauty of the Amish landscape.
Kim spends her time writing, traveling, and enjoying her cherished grandchildren. Throughout all of her endeavors, Kim feels a need to share a message of hope, joy, and gratitude for the many blessings she has been given.
You can follow @ Kim K Meredith on:Face Book, Twitter, Instagram
Linked In @ Kim Kluxen Meredith
Prior, Kim enjoyed a brief career as a commercial litigation paralegal at White and Williams law firm in Philadelphia and at Armstrong World Industries in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Kim’s sudden widowhood, at age forty in 1993, was the catalyst for her new-found writing career. Her first book, Listen for the Whispers: Coping with Grief and Learning to Live Again (Cable Publishing 2010) won a 2013 Silver Medal from the Military Writers Society of America in the spiritual/inspirational category. It became her platform book for speaking engagements both nation-wide and in Canada for Soaring Spirits International, a grief support organization. Kim also conducted two radio broadcasts with Open to Hope, another national grief support foundation. In addition, her numerous grief focused articles have been published in various print and in on-line magazines.
In 2018, Kim’s second book, Ocean Whispers (Yurchak Printing), was released and continued her theme of whispers. It is a collection of her photographs of forty-two seashells that she discovered in Ocean City, New Jersey along with corresponding inspirational thoughts.
Today, inspired by her grandchildren, Kim has shifted her focus to writing children’s picture books. For the illustrations, Kim partnered with an accomplished Lancaster, Pennsylvania artist, Lisa Madenspacher. Together they have produced three story books about the adventures of a hermit crab family. Each book has a universal message for young readers and their families.
Henri’s Home (2020) highlights the importance of family as Henri searches for his way back home after a storm.
Henri to the Rescue (2021) emphasizes the importance of diversity and working together with his new friend, Simon the Sea Turtle.
Heidi Saves the Day (2023) features the strength of girl power by Henri’s sister, Heidi, in a challenging situation with Olivia, the Octopus.
Kim has published five stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. She also has many published pieces in various anthologies, in print and online magazines, and maintains a blog on her web site. Details of her work can be seen at www.kimkluxenmeredith.com.
Originally from a small village in upstate New York, Kim has lived in Lancaster County since 1977. She feels fortunate to be surrounded by the beauty of the Amish landscape.
Kim spends her time writing, traveling, and enjoying her cherished grandchildren. Throughout all of her endeavors, Kim feels a need to share a message of hope, joy, and gratitude for the many blessings she has been given.
You can follow @ Kim K Meredith on:Face Book, Twitter, Instagram
Linked In @ Kim Kluxen Meredith
Susan Perkins is the current Southwest Regional Director for DKG International. She has been a member in DKG for over 25 years and has been involved in a variety of leadership roles in the Kansas State Organization, including State President, Membership Chair, and is currently serving as Webmaster and Newsletter Editor. She has also previously served at the International level as a member of the Golden Gift Committee and assistant to the Leadership Management Seminar in 2018 and member of the Educator’s Book Award Committee.
Susan is currently an Assistant Principal/Director of Curriculum and Testing at Goddard High School in Goddard, Kansas, and has been in education for over 33 years. Her experience has been at the elementary, intermediate, and secondary level in social studies instruction and special education instruction, primarily with learning disabilities and emotional disturbances. She has also taught summer workshops at the collegiate level for teachers, focusing on working with special needs students in the regular education classroom. She has been the assistant principal at Goddard High School for the past 13 years, focusing on supporting student growth in assessments and activities. She is also a member of the Kansas State Licensure Regulations Committee and is a mentor for the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute. Susan has earned degrees from Kansas State University, Emporia State University, and Wichita State University and is currently working on her doctorate from Kansas State University.
Susan Is a native Kansan, and lives in Wichita with her husband and Labrador. Susan loves to cook and owns a part time catering business along with her family. She also is dedicated to fighting cancer, assisting in numerous local and state fundraisers with the American Cancer Society. Her other passion is supporting her Kansas State University Wildcats. She has one daughter, Tegan, who works in her district as a curriculum technology specialist, along with a wonderful son-in-law and the most adorable six-year-old grandson, Quincy.
Susan is currently an Assistant Principal/Director of Curriculum and Testing at Goddard High School in Goddard, Kansas, and has been in education for over 33 years. Her experience has been at the elementary, intermediate, and secondary level in social studies instruction and special education instruction, primarily with learning disabilities and emotional disturbances. She has also taught summer workshops at the collegiate level for teachers, focusing on working with special needs students in the regular education classroom. She has been the assistant principal at Goddard High School for the past 13 years, focusing on supporting student growth in assessments and activities. She is also a member of the Kansas State Licensure Regulations Committee and is a mentor for the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute. Susan has earned degrees from Kansas State University, Emporia State University, and Wichita State University and is currently working on her doctorate from Kansas State University.
Susan Is a native Kansan, and lives in Wichita with her husband and Labrador. Susan loves to cook and owns a part time catering business along with her family. She also is dedicated to fighting cancer, assisting in numerous local and state fundraisers with the American Cancer Society. Her other passion is supporting her Kansas State University Wildcats. She has one daughter, Tegan, who works in her district as a curriculum technology specialist, along with a wonderful son-in-law and the most adorable six-year-old grandson, Quincy.