Uncrowned Community Builders

Paula was born Paula Patricia Calvin in Chicago, Illinois on October 21, 1951 to the late Eddie Lee Calvin Sr. and Ruby C. Mims. Paula is the third oldest of nine children. Her mother moved the family to Buffalo, New York in April 1968. Paula finished her formative education at Bishop Oââ?¬â?¢Hern High School, graduating in 1969.

Paula received her Bachelor of Arts in Education with a dual major in PreK-6 Elementary Education and 7-12 Social Studies at Canisius College in 1991. While in college, she founded the Student Education Association (SEA). She was elected the first president of SEA and served two terms. She also served as a tutor for the HEOP (Higher Education Opportunity Program), was secretary to the Afro-American Society and was listed in Whoââ?¬â?¢s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. She was inducted into the Di Gamma Honor Society in February, 1991. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Western New York Writing Association at Canisius College. Paula received her Master of Science in Administration from Canisius College in 1993. She currently holds educational licenses in PreK-6 Elementary Education, 7-12 Social Studies, Attendance and School District Administrator (SDA).

Paula started her teaching career with the Buffalo School District in the fall of 1991 at school #59, Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet. She taught 3rd grade at Drew until she accepted her current position as a District Attendance Teacher.

Paula is active in the Buffalo Teachers Federation (BTF), as a member of the Executive Committee, Co-Chair of the New Teacher Orientation and Trustee of the Sick Leave Bank for Buffalo Teachers. In addition she serves on a number of other BTF committees and is a member of the Policy Board for the Buffalo Teacher Center. At the state level of the National Teachers Association of New York (NEA/NY), Paula has served on the Multicultural Affairs Committee and on the NEA/NY Board of Directors as an Associate Director. She is currently a member of the Human Rights Committee. Paula is a delegate to both the state and national conventions of the NEA.

At the national level of NEA, she is a member of the Resolutions Committee. She has been selected to serve a three year term on the Board of Examiners to the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NCATE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation as a professional accrediting body for teacher education. As an examiner, Paula visits institutions and makes judgments about the quality of professional education. She joins a team of colleagues from across the nation to examine Teacher Education Programs within schools, colleges and universities to ensure that the teaching educational programs meet the Six Performance-Based Standards requirement set by NCATE.

Paula is also active in her community. She is the president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter. She is a member of Phi Delta Kappa. She has served on the Board of Directors at the Kensington-Bailey Neighborhood Housing Association as secretary and general member and also holds the position of President of the Copsewood Block Club. In recognition of her dedication to education, Paula received the ââ?¬Å?Apple for the Teacherââ?¬ award from Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.

Paula is a member of St. John Baptist Church where she is a member of the Radio Choir and the church photo directory committee. Paula has three children and six grandchildren.