With decades of experience to her credit, Kathryn A. Ransom has excelled as an author and educator, having published her first book, “Ransom Notes: Moments of Reflection, Courage, Engagement, Worship and Humor,” through WestBow Press in 2019 at the age of 83. Prior to this accomplishment, she flourished as an adjunct professor for multiple colleges and universities throughout Illinois. She was employed with Springfield School District Number 186 as a teacher, the director of the reading program, and later as the supervisor of the English and Reading Department for the district. For two years, Ms. Ransom worked as a consultant for a textbook publishing company as a reading consultant for schools around the United States. Following retirement from the school district, she did private educational consulting from California to Long Island, New York.
Ms. Ransom began her studies at Ozark Christian College in 1953. She continued her education at Missouri State University, earning a Bachelor of Education. Furthermore, she concluded her academic efforts at the University of Illinois, graduating with a Master of Arts in counseling.
Beyond her responsibilities within the educational field, Ms. Ransom has participated in numerous endeavors outside of her professional circles. She is a member of the Southside Christian Church in Springfield, Illinois, where she teaches a class of adults each week. She has been a contributing member of the board of directors for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, ISO Guild, Lincoln Christian University and the local public television station WSEC. She has been active with a number of senior citizen groups and served as a volunteer in myriad community events, including as a dishwasher for the local Memorial Garden’s Annual Pancake Day fundraiser and chairing the building committee for an addition to the church. Ms. Ransom found success with her written works outside of publishing, having penned numerous essays regarding her traveling experiences. She has traveled the world, including a recent trip to the Edinburgh Arts Festival, as well as a trip down the Danube in Eastern Europe. Her favorite travel venues include the African countries, where she loves to utilize her photography skills with up-close shots of the animal life.
In addition to her primary vocation, Ms. Ransom remains affiliated with various organizations in relation to her areas of expertise. She has maintained her involvement on the boards of the Academy of Lifelong Learners (ALL) and the International Reading Association, for which she held the title of both ALL and IRA president. Furthermore, Ms. Ransom was a member of the Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, including the presidency, and the American Association of University Women.
Blessed to have been supported by a wonderful family and a collection of outstanding friends around the world, Ms. Ransom attributes her success to her hard work, guidance from above, the willingness to kick open doors and experience instances of serendipity. Motivated by the difficulties inherent on finding success in the religious marketplace in the 1950s, especially for women at the time, she believes that her experiences in elementary education properly prepared her for the rest of her career and her post-retirement activities. An avid traveler and golfer, Ms. Ransom hopes to continue attaining success through her written works and begin work on her second book, while focusing on her health and meeting new people.
For fellow members aspiring to work in the industry, Ms. Ransom advises them never to give up, be willing to try new things, and keep expanding their knowledge and perfecting their craft. She would like to remember by her peers as someone who cared, as a lover of the world and a seeker of knowledge.