No hall pass is required by Betty Perkins as she returns to Niles Community Schools with a new title: Trustee with the Niles Education Foundation.

Even retirement couldn’t keep Perkins away from Niles Community Schools. Perkins has an extensive background in education. She began her teaching career at Osterlein Home for Emotionally Disturbed Children in Springfield, Ohio. She went on to teach in Ashland, Ohio, at the Dale-Roy School for the Mentally Retarded and at Osbourne Elementary School.

Perkins crossed the state line and began by teaching in Michigan at Cassopolis Public Schools for seven years. She went on to Southwestern Michigan College as a sociology instructor and then to the Southwest Michigan Consortium as a consultant with the Gifted & Talented for Berrien Springs, Brandywine, Buchanan and Niles Schools. Perkins got a taste of being a principal when she was at the South Bend Hebrew Day School in Mishawaka, Ind., in the late 80s.

“We are excited to have Betty join the Niles Education Foundation,” said Jane Brandstatter, chair of the foundation.

Before retiring in 2005, Perkins worked with the Niles School System for over 15 years as a teacher, assistant principal at Ring Lardner Middle School and Niles High School, and a principal at Niles High School from 2000 to 2005.

“Betty brings a deep and wide range of experience that will be invaluable to the Niles Education Foundation board,” Brandstatter said.

Betty Perkins holds a bachelor of arts in psychology and sociology from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership/Administration from Western Michigan University.

Since its establishment in 2009, the Niles Education Foundation has invested more than $60,000 for the enhancement of public education at Niles Community Schools.

The role of the Niles Education Foundation is to garner private support and public engagement for Niles Community Schools. As a tax-exempt, non profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the foundation seeks funds that will be utilized to create opportunities for learning above and beyond what the district funds. Gifts are tax deductible for income and estate tax purposes. For more information on specific giving please call the Foundation office at (269) 683-0732.