Tell us about your Family. We are the Tidwell4. Jim and I are lifelong family friends, high school sweethearts, dated forever, married at 29. Jim is the owner / operator of JTT, Inc., Dump Trucking Business. We have 2 children, our son Jerny is 20, a Junior at Reinhardt University Waleska and our daughter, Leda is 18, a Freshman at UNG Dahlonega. We make the little town of Free Home our home base, tucked away in the Creekview community in Cherokee County.
What inspired you or led you to your current career? Food Service Manager. Street talk = Lunchlady ! I started my career as a food service tech 13 years ago to obtain our family health insurance and still be able to be a MOM and have a schedule close to the kids school schedule. Not long into being a tech, I realized I loved the J O B ~ for the obvious reason – school nutrition – being able to prepare and feed students 2 healthy great meals daily and be involved in a program that makes a difference in students and family’s lives. During the years, I saw advancement available and became certified as a manager. I am known for my positive, high energy personality that gets students, admin and school staff involved with our program and have a vision for our county and school program to open new doors to new products and new ideas. I was a food service tech for 7 years and have been the café’ manager at North Forsyth High School in Cumming, GA for the last 6 years.
What do you love most about what you do? The people ~ students, coworkers school staff, admin of my school, county co-workers, my regular day to day peeps. Relationships are key. Relationships are a heart full. I have many many great friends from just doing what I do. I am known for my positivity and up beat energy. I can make a difference in people’s lives, not only the students as we feed them but in the day to day connection and being there and supporting people, loving them just as they are.
How long have you worked in this field? 13 years.
What do you love most about the area in which you live? The small-town feel, the small-town way, the people and their hearts, the community is filled with love and their dependability and availability.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working? Front porch sitting, Time spent with family and friends, Going to or coaching kids’ sports. Summer’s off = get a good beach trip in. I love the SUNSHINE!
Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met? Jim Tidwell, my husband. Who else would I say?? ~ Every day is a new adventure!
What is your favorite restaurant? Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant
What is on your bucket list? Travel back to St. Thomas, USVI or HAWAII! Again, SUNSHINE!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Right here, Free Home – NFHS ~~ growing as a person and an employee of Forsyth County Schools. Striving daily to make a difference in the people’s lives that I come in contact with. Continuing to grow and change and be a light to those around me in my day to day work and day to day living. Love like Jesus does, loving folks so radically and believing in them that they wonder WHY?? ~ Always leaving people better than I found them.
Tell me something people don’t know about you. I have started a blog with only a couple of entries and only 1 other person has ever read it AND ….. I’d love to write a book one day.
What word or phrases come to mind when you think of the word NEIGHBOR? Community, Small Town, Dependable, Personal, Present.
