Biography: My current B.A. degree in Elementary Education is from Ft. Lewis College, Durango, Colorado in 1974, cum laude. In 1979, I received a master’s degree from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. My master’s degree in education certifies me as an educational diagnostician, and a special education teacher. After teaching 23 years, I retired, but I’m continuing to teach school as a substitute teacher. My debilitating physical disability began in 1960. With LaDee’s help, I was able to continue teaching children with disabilities far beyond the two years that I envisioned myself working after I received my master’s degree.
Background Information: My work history follows: Deputy Clerk of San Juan County, Utah; teacher of English as a second language at Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Educational Diagnostician, elementary/secondary special education in Albany and Laramie counties in Wyoming. I am the mother of two children: Julie Anne Keown Bomar, and Timothy Duane Keown. I have two granddaughters, Hailey Marie Keown Bomar, and Maia Grace Keown Bomar.
Previous Publications: Our Mom, Ruth in December of 2007; an article in Accents magazine in the spring of 2000 issue; two poems were published in The Price of Freedom, Volume II, Unforgotten Heroes in the July 2000 Poetry Anthology; two poems were published in Emerging Voices 2003 Journal of Literature and Art; Western Nebraska Community College; and a short story and a poem were published in Nichos De La Vida, Special Places from Life in April, 2003
Accomplishments: I was a Board member of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children) for several years. I served as the Junior and Senior Partner for High Plains Investment Group. I am an avid reader, and have been a member of a book group for many years. For several years, I have belonged to the Friendship Force. I went to Brazil with this group in 2004, and stayed for three weeks. We have hosted doctors and educators from Russia while they explored and experienced our lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I went to eight European countries studying special education programs with the University of Utah.
Additional Information: While my daughter was completing her book, Kinship Networks Among Hmong-American Refugees, and her husband Charles (Chuck) Bomar was teaching at a university in Kazakhstan, Chris and I visited with her and her family for three weeks. Chuck was on a Fulbright program. Currently, I am serving as vice president of the Patio Condo association.
