AUTHORS BIOGRAPHY
Meet the Author
Dorothy "Nell" Betts, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, draws inspiration from her close relationship with her grandparents and the value they placed on family. Her family moved to KCK, in 1977, where she attended the last school year of Sumner High school. She graduated from Wyandotte High School Later in life, she found love and built a blended family, resulting in sixteen grandchildren. She made the selfless choice to stay at home to care for her youngest son, who had special needs at the time. During this period, she opened and ran a daycare, pursued child development classes, and earned a BA in Child and Family Studies from Park University in Parkville, Missouri. Her dedication to her family and education is commendable.
Once her son was old enough to attend public school, he was placed on an Individual Education Plan (IEP), to address his delays and after watching how the staff supported her son, it inspired her to apply for a job. She was hired as a Para-professional and work with a Special Education teacher who encouraged her to soar further in the field of Early childhood. After six years of being a Para-Professional, she was given the opportunity to serve in her community as a classroom specialist in a head start site to initiate and help develop the public school early childhood literacy curriculum.
She noticed when she read books to the children they lite up with amazement and wonder. Books became their escape from everything around them. Diving into author studies, looking at illustrations and noticing how words move throughout the pages captured her as well.
Years after that experience she decided to pursue a MA in Early Childhood Unified, where she was qualified to teach general education and Special Education in the school system. She is a member of National Education Association, Black Educators Rock , graduated from Emporiia Cum Laude with a 3.65 GPA and have had several poems published throughout her journey but this freshman publication of Layla Louise is her crowning moment and there is more to learn about who she was, is, and to become.
MY LAYLA
My Muses
I can recall my 2nd grade teacher and how I had such a huge girl crush on her. She was so colorful and full of wonder, that I started drawing in a different way.
Words started flowing in my mind every time I drew something, but I suppressed the idea of writing until my junior year of high school, when I joined the school newspaper and poetry class.
There it was, the words that were coming from me, forming lines and symbols on paper, and years later jotting down my idea became such a habit that stories started to evolve.
But it was not until I begin meeting my grandchildren that my soul for writing lifted up off the ground and soared. My third born grandchild inspired the character of my freshman release, with her fearless tenacity, Layla became the catalyst for me being here at this moment in my life. Take this ride with me as I begin a new journey. Hey mama, I wrote a book!
Author's Corner
Layla Louise and the Best Peachy Cobbler Ever
This little book is one out of several that expounds on the many important times in the life of Layla Louise. She is so excited to be considered the flower girl in her aunts wedding especially with all of her girl relatives who could have been chosen. Join her as she get ready for the event.
