ISU Grad Barbara Norton Ekey Helps Us Surmount Life's Challenges
Whether climbing a mountain, writing a book, teaching a class -- or just climbing out of bed in the morning -- each of us faces obstacles in our lives and wonderful opportunities.
What author/motivational educator Barbara Norton Ekey, an Iowa State University graduate, knows from personal experience, research and keen observation of others is that overcoming those internal and external obstacles requires believing in oneself, freeing the imagination and controlling stress,
in short, she says it means taking charge.
The author's programs, "Surmounting Life's Challenges," and "Creative Learning Adventures" have been presented to teachers, parents and students at universities, schools, book stores and conventions since 1995. Ekey has also appeared on PBS television and national radio.
How Ekey helps inspire change is by using an interdisciplinary approach to learning mixed with ideas gleaned through undergraduate degree in elementary education/Spanish at Iowa State University,
a masters in educational psychology from University of Minnesota, plus 9 years of teaching experience in Denver, Penn State University, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, New York City area and Germany. By blending these skills with her 10 years of work as a photojournalist, and 20 years of involvement with the League of Women Voters, Ekey motivates with special insight and feeling.
"I've been very fortunate to have had highly capable mentors along the way," says Ekey. "Iowa State University professors enhanced my creativity by giving me the freedomto explore new ideas and teaching techniques."
Through her nonfiction, adult book, "Blind Trust", the incredible story of a sightless climb of Mt. McKinley, she shares her understandable philosophy of living life to your own culminating peak "Blind Trust" relates how faith and unconquerable determination can guide us to conquer life's challenges, even up the treacherous slopes of McKinley's summit.
But there is much more to this incredible story. While writing the book, Ekey felt an ever-increasing need to encourage others to
use insight, creative problem solving and humor to confront the figurative mountains that stand in their own paths. She knows firsthand how difficult even seemingly simple tasks can be if not approached with the right mindset and also how to turn minor setbacks into major opportunities.
One aspect of her life where experimentation served her particularly well was in learning to control stress. She enthusiastically shares her "methods" for coping with her high-flying, full-speed ahead approach to life. "When writing "Blind Trust", one of
the main characters and my chief booster was killed in the calving of a glacier. I just couldn't write until I started using my 'Ten Stress Commandments.' Through mental imaging, music and art initiative, assessment of personal relationships, positive thinking and specialty rewards, I was able to complete the book and then forge ahead on other inspirations."
Both "Blind Trust" and her motivational children's books such as Catsup & Keys To Success, are available through Iowa State University Bookstore.
Vitae-
Birthplace and home until 1967 -- Edina, Minnesota Education:
Edina Public Schools 1963 graduate;
Iowa State University 1963 to 1967;
University of Minnesota -- 1971 to 1973
Teaching:
Denver Public Schools -- 1967 to 1969;
Department of Defense -- 1969 to 1971;
Minneapolis Public Schools --
1971 to 1972;
National Regional Resource Center
Penn State University -- 1972 to 1973;
King of Prussia -- 1973 to 1974;
Hohokus (NJ) Public Schools --
1974-76;
Photojournalist -- Photojournalist 1985 to present
Author/Motivational Speaker -- 1994 to present 12/26/95 |
