Steven Gannon , Jenny Folsom , Judge Greg Nicholas , Laura Quick , and Donnis Leath , the former mayor of Colony , at a Chicken Wings judging contest .
“ I spent my entire full time working career in education ,” said Folsom . “ My first job was 6th grade at Glen Iris Elementary in Birmingham . After a couple of years , I moved back to Cullman and taught 6th grade at West Point Elementary .”
Folsom said she loved this level of teaching so much that it prompted her to get a MS degree in elementary education .
“ In the mid 1980s , I left public education , moved into the private sector , and settled in Montgomery ,” she said . “ I worked in the corporate office for KinderCare Learning Center . At that time , KinderCare , Inc ., had over 1,200 child care centers in 40 states serving over 100,000 children daily .”
Folsom said many people often referred to them as “ the McDonald ’ s of the Childcare Industry .”
“ I was in their education department working with teacher training for their school-age programs ,” she said . “ During that time , I also had the opportunity to co-author 16 activity books for pre-school children . KinderCare marketed the books through Toys ‘ R ’ Us .”
Folsom and her late husband Jack Folsom married in 1986 when they were both living in Montgomery . It was a second marriage for both of them .
“ Jack had a daughter Bama who was a freshman at Vanderbilt at that time ,” said Folsom . “ Bama and I have a wonderful relationship . I like to kid her that I hit the jackpot getting a smart , beautiful and talented daughter
without having to go through the difficult part of getting her from birth to college .”
Bama and her husband Jeff live in Birmingham and share their wonderful children Ellie and Henley with her .
In 1988 , two years after Jack and Jenny married , the couple decided to move back to Cullman since that was the hometown they both grew up in .
“ At that time , I was fortunate to go to work at Wallace State as the Director of Adult Education ,” said Folsom . “ We offered GED classes in Blount , Walker and Winston counties . My education career had now come full circle working with pre-school elementary and now adults . Working at Wallace State was truly the highlight of my career . Being a perennial student myself , I completed my terminal degree in Higher Education Administration at Alabama .”
Folsom said she loved every day spent with the students , faculty , and staff . “ Wallace State is a shining star among the community colleges in Alabama and has received numerous regional and national awards . Having Wallace State in our community is priceless ! I was fortunate to spend my last 22 years there and retired as Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs in 2010 .”
Vicki Hawsey Karolewics , the president of Wallace , said she considers Dr . Folsom the matriarch of Wallace State . “ She was and is widely respected / admired for her leadership style and accomplishments . She is the epitome of Southern grace and charm , with never a ruffled feather .”
10 | WINTER 2021 CULLMAN COUNTY SENIOR MAGAZINE