Florence Gamble Gregory
1965
I am currently an eleventh grade English Teacher in a high school (Arroyo High) and live in Orange County. I was married right out of high school the first time, divorced and remarried, which also ended in divorce after ten years. I had two children, one died at 3 months, a boy, and my living son is 47 years old now. He became a nurse in the Army, and now runs an extended care facility for the elderly, but most of all he is a nice and caring man. I have a grandson, who is the apple of my eye, and he is 22. He is currently in college and will be a math teacher and baseball coach when he graduates next year. He is gorgeous, athletic, and very smart….plus has the extra advantage of being a person who makes good decisions, which makes Grandma very proud and happy! Oh, and he is a personal trainer at 24 Hour Fitness as well, and saves his money…another fine quality most young people don’t learn early!
My career took many twists and turns, as I started as a legal secretary and worked for the Orange County Public Defender, and then decided to pursue my real dream of being a hairdresser. That worked for 20 years and I loved it, but the body was screaming at me that it wasn’t secure and would be difficult to sustain without any guarantees on retirement. I still do a few friends! I had always wanted to be a teacher as well, and decided to pursue the education I never received out of high school. It took me ten years, but I was able to receive my bachelors and credential to teach, which I started in 2000. After teaching a few years, I decided to get my Masters degree and went to school again, while I was teaching, (which was the hardest task I ever took on). I have enjoyed teaching immensely and feel satisfied that I am helping students understand their potential every day. I have recently had a student graduate from Yale and quite a few from UCLA, etc. I always feel so proud of them, just like they are my own kids. Many of them come to see me and quite a few communicate through Facebook! I love hearing their stories and many of them are now teachers!
I own my own home in La Habra and enjoy living in Orange County. I love to paint and draw, but mostly I love to read of course! Reading is my passion and I try to pass that on to my students. I have a love for travel and have been in many U.S. states (25) and really enjoyed Washington D.C because of the great history, plus traveled to Europe four times. I actually lived in North Carolina for three years (didn’t like that too much) and have been to Paris twice, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, London, Germany, Mexico, and Calais, France. If I was rich, I would travel all of the time, as it is so wonderful to see the world! I probably should have been a stewardess out of high school! ha ha…. I really don’t enjoy flying too much, but I do it much better now! I actually don’t hold the armrests tightly on takeoff and landing anymore!. Life has always offered many challenges, but I am blessed with many wonderful experiences and feel I am more fortunate than many and have enjoyed the ride! I am most proud of what I have contributed to my students, as hopefully, I have made a real difference in their lives. I know retirement is coming soon and I will always miss them.
My career took many twists and turns, as I started as a legal secretary and worked for the Orange County Public Defender, and then decided to pursue my real dream of being a hairdresser. That worked for 20 years and I loved it, but the body was screaming at me that it wasn’t secure and would be difficult to sustain without any guarantees on retirement. I still do a few friends! I had always wanted to be a teacher as well, and decided to pursue the education I never received out of high school. It took me ten years, but I was able to receive my bachelors and credential to teach, which I started in 2000. After teaching a few years, I decided to get my Masters degree and went to school again, while I was teaching, (which was the hardest task I ever took on). I have enjoyed teaching immensely and feel satisfied that I am helping students understand their potential every day. I have recently had a student graduate from Yale and quite a few from UCLA, etc. I always feel so proud of them, just like they are my own kids. Many of them come to see me and quite a few communicate through Facebook! I love hearing their stories and many of them are now teachers!
I own my own home in La Habra and enjoy living in Orange County. I love to paint and draw, but mostly I love to read of course! Reading is my passion and I try to pass that on to my students. I have a love for travel and have been in many U.S. states (25) and really enjoyed Washington D.C because of the great history, plus traveled to Europe four times. I actually lived in North Carolina for three years (didn’t like that too much) and have been to Paris twice, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, London, Germany, Mexico, and Calais, France. If I was rich, I would travel all of the time, as it is so wonderful to see the world! I probably should have been a stewardess out of high school! ha ha…. I really don’t enjoy flying too much, but I do it much better now! I actually don’t hold the armrests tightly on takeoff and landing anymore!. Life has always offered many challenges, but I am blessed with many wonderful experiences and feel I am more fortunate than many and have enjoyed the ride! I am most proud of what I have contributed to my students, as hopefully, I have made a real difference in their lives. I know retirement is coming soon and I will always miss them.
Me in Hawaii (April 2015)
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Me in Paris, France (2012)
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My son Robert, me and Grandson Michael
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Tony, my student who received a full scholarship to Yale in 2010. So proud.
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My son Robert and his wife Michelle
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The Class of 2005 Officers and their Advisor
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Me at Mark Twain's 100th Anniversary party at Angel's Camp, celebrating the release of his Autobiography. On the left is Ron Powers, famous for writing about Twain and on the right is a Mark Twain impersonator.
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In Hawaii in 2015, visiting Cianna (2005 Class President). She is now a Marine Scientist saving sea animals.
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Comments
Dear Florence, I read your story was so proud of you! The many challenges that you faced & the successes that you worked so hard to achieve are incredible. You are a true hero & great woman's role model! Your son is very handsome as is your grandson & I have a strong feeling they have your drive too!
In High School I so wanted you to like me! I saw leadership skills in you that I am so glad you have used. I too keep in touch with my former students & am so proud of them. We are both so lucky to still be working (it does not feel like work to me) with young people & it is the best.
I look forward to seeing you in October. Much admiration.
Gloria Dorcy
In High School I so wanted you to like me! I saw leadership skills in you that I am so glad you have used. I too keep in touch with my former students & am so proud of them. We are both so lucky to still be working (it does not feel like work to me) with young people & it is the best.
I look forward to seeing you in October. Much admiration.
Gloria Dorcy