Mary Kathryn Diggs

My Ties to Mathews

I was born and raised in Mathews County. I am the middle of three girls. Our parents loved and guided us with Christian values for which we are all so grateful!

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After graduating from Mathews High School, I went to Ferrum Junior College and then East Tennessee State University. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education.

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I did a gap year in Europe, living with a French family, where I picked apples and grapes for a month. Then I worked outside of London as an au pair. Later I worked with the Salvation Army at a home for troubled girls in northern England.

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When I returned to the United States, I began my first teaching position in Nottoway County. In the midst of my career, I felt God calling me into missions. I took a year’s leave of absence, but that year turned into 12 years. My time was spent with Mercy Ships, serving the poor and needy in developing nations in the Caribbean and West Africa.

In 1999, I returned to teaching and spent 16 years in the Gloucester County Schools before I retired in 2015. I then worked several long-term substitute jobs in Gloucester and Mathews County Schools.

 

Why I Am Running

Running for the School Board was not on my radar, but being involved with the public schools and seeing Mathews lose good teachers to other districts year after year is concerning. A strong school system attracts families, as does a welcoming community and thriving businesses. We had all of that in the past, but the climate has changed.

If I am elected to the School Board, my emphasis will be on keeping caring and qualified teachers and paying them sufficiently.

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Our citizens need to understand that many people make decisions on where to live based on how good the school system is, so if Mathews could strengthen its school system, it could help shore up our tax base by encouraging more people to settle here and send their children to school here.

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My prayer is that the people of Mathews will come together and be the hope for our county’s future—the children.

 

What Makes Me a Good Candidate

My involvement with Mathews County schools over the years would be an asset to the School Board. I hear from teachers who say that if things were to improve here, they would love to return to teach here. Many seniors do not have children in the school system, so they think this issue does not affect them, but I can help them understand how a strong school system is important to all Mathews citizens. I want  to encourage more seniors to get involved in the schools. For example, there is no active PTA at the elementary school; perhaps seniors could make a difference there.

 

My Community Involvement 

I am an active member of my church, Kingston Parish, and I continue to marvel at our Fall Fair, which raises considerable money each year. The money goes to many organizations within Mathews County.

 

What the Candidate Team Can Do for Mathews

The team approach is key to how we would like things to operate. Taking a commonsense approach to the challenges at hand; listening to what our parents, students, and teachers say are needed; and seeking out practical, level-headed solutions will yield promising results for Mathews.