|
|
|
Running for Commissioner
Public service and Rockingham County have been Ann's passion for her adult life. Now seems to be the time to apply those passions at a county level beyond just the scope of education. In her interactions throughout the county she has met people of varying backgrounds, cultures, and needs, and has found that all share the same concerns- namely, security for ourselves and a better future for our families. Ann is able to effectively communicate and plan with a broad range of people, and work towards cooperatively established goals while putting personality aside. Rockingham County has incredible unique resources. Ann believes that we need to reach to the future together to maximize our mutual potential. She is excited to learn, to listen, and to be a part of building Rockingham County's future. Ann wants to be an active participant in seeing her county grow, prosper, be safe, be clean, and be the positive environment we want for our next generation.
All About Ann
Ann Brady has lived in Rockingham County for over 40 years. She was born in Pennsylvania, but her mother was from Greensboro, and Ann visited her grandparents in North Carolina frequently. Ann moved to North Carolina to attend her dad’s alma mater, Carolina, and has not lived outside the state since then. She brags that her cousin (Bill Hendrix) owned the Rockingham Theatre so her Rockingham County roots run deep.
Ann earned her BA degree in mathematics from UNC-CH (phi beta kappa) and her MA and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UNC-G.
Ann retired after 38 years’ experience in the public sector, mostly with Reidsville City Schools which became Rockingham County Schools after merger. She has been a school psychologist, the Director of Exceptional Programs, a socialization therapist, a federal grant reviewer for NC DPI, and a university (UNC-G) and college (RCC) instructor for teachers and psychologists. Her responsibilities included budgeting; school safety; compliance with laws and regulations; working with the public; helping write State level policies and regulations; supervising teachers, psychologists, and other staff; reviewing federal special education grants; and teaching. She has several professional publications. In addition she and her husband have owned a small business. She currently manages a horse farm.
She has served on many boards, committees, and task forces over the years including the Humane Society (President), Museum and Archives of Rockingham County (Executive Board), Rockingham County Board of Health and Human Services, Ecumenical Family Life Center (Vice President), Rolling Ridge Riding Board, Mental Health Center Area Retardation Review Board, NC Association of School Psychologists, and NC Council of Administrators of Special Education (treasurer).
Awards have included Educator of the Year by Rockingham County ARC, Outstanding Program Administrator by NC Counsel for Administrators of Special Education, Distinguished Service Award by NC Exceptional Children Division, and many horse show ribbons!
A complete professional resumee can be viewed here:
Ann actively seeks information on local, state, and national topics in order to be well informed. She often dialogues with people with different views and works hard to get facts. She is very active in advocating for her beliefs; her views are included in the "issues" page of this website. She likes to quote former Army Gen. Martin Dempsey who was the former chairman of joint chiefs of staff:
"If you are a leader, you must commit yourself to learning. And if you really commit yourself to that, you can’t simply be satisfied with reinforcing what you already know. You have to stretch yourself out in order to truly learn, which allows you to do what’s most important as a leader today and that is you must be a sense-maker for those who follow you. And I say that because it's leaders in the environment I’ve been describing have an obligation to help you make sense of things, to clarify, not confuse."
She is the proud parent of Jillian Brady Williams, a successful teacher and middle school theater director. Ann is married (34 years) to C. Julian Brady, Jr., former school system finance officer.
She enjoys riding her horse, visiting the beaches of North Carolina, hiking, gardening, listening to books, keeping up with current events, attending theater, and doing yoga.