THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 2, 1994 TAG: 9409300196
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
CHILDREN LIVE WHAT they learn, says Jackie Milteer, Franklin High School guidance counselor and at-risk coordinator.
``If they live with criticism, they learn to criticize,'' she says. ``The problems kids are having today aren't any greater than the ones we grew up with, but they need more love - from everybody.''
Milteer, 38, says society is very quick to label kids ``bad,'' when what they may need is more love from those around them.
Milteer became an educator in 1988 after her daughter, a fifth-grader at Kilby Shores then, urged her to go back to school for her teaching certificate.
``I used to go around and give talks to the schools on food and nutrition. And my daughter said, `Mom, why don't you teach?' ''
So, in 1986, Milteer went back to school. Today, she says she wonders why she didn't do it sooner.
``What I do is work from the beginning to the end of my day, but I love it. Some people come to work for the paycheck. I come because I love it. And I can't help but ask myself, what took me so long.''
As a counselor, Milteer helps eighth-graders with scheduling classes and their concerns about careers. She also has between 30 and 35 at-risk students in an in-school tutorial program designed to help them with reading, writing and math skills.
She says the program is designed to raise students' employability.
Name: Jacqueline Milteer
What brought you to Suffolk? Born and raised
Birthdate: May 17, 1956
Nickname: Jackie
Occupation: High school guidance counselor and at-risk coordinator and educator in Suffolk.
Marital status: Married
Children: One
Favorite movies: ``Prince of Tides,'' ``Ghost,'' ``Tombstone,'' ``Forrest Gump'' and ``Back Street.''
Favorite magazine: Time
Books you wish everyone would read, and why: ``The Seven Principles of Highly Effective People'' by Stephen Covey; and ``Understanding Your Potential,'' ``Single, Married, Separated'' and ``Life After Divorce,'' all by Myles Munroe. Also, the holy Bible. I wish everyone could read these books because it would allow one to become a whole person without feeling guilty. In other words, you will strive to be what God has planned for your life.
Favorite night out on the town: Going to any sporting event anywhere.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Scale O' De Whale Seafood restaurant.
Favorite food and drink: Seafood; no favorite drink.
Few people know . . . that I love to cook and eat all kinds of foods, whether it's tradition or nontraditional.
What's the best thing about yourself? I love people, especially young people.
Worst habit: Everything has to be in order. I can't stand things that aren't organized.
First thing in the morning: I pray and organize my goals for that day.
Pets: None
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, listening to music - gospel and jazz.
Ideal vacation: Cruise to Alaska.
Pet peeve: None
First job: Sales clerk
Worst job: All my jobs have in some way dealt with people. Therefore, I have not yet experienced a bad job. I spent 12 years at Safeway, and to this day, I long to see some of the people I crossed paths with on that job.
Of which achievements are you most proud? My master's degree and working toward a certificate of advanced studies in administration supervision.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``Her life touched a dozen lives before a day was done. She left countless marks for good or ill before the setting sun. So if any deed of hers could make a heart feel glad, she prayed and asked for guidance that God's will might be done.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Jackie Milteer
by CNB