This column serves as a spotlight, highlighting the everyday people who work and live in Callaway County. The Fulton Sun takes a moment with someone who is not usually featured in the news but is just as instrumental in making the community the strong and beautiful place residents here know and love.
Brittany Clingman has lived in Callway County for 29 years - growing up in Steedman before bouncing around the county and ending back in Steedman. She lives there with her partner of seven years, Justin Rogers, and their son, Maverick Rogers. Brittany worked in social work before deciding to stay at home with her son, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
After graduating from South Callaway High School, she attended William Woods University to get a bachelor's degree in social work. She then worked for the Audrain County Children's Division for several years before returning to Callaway County to serve as a social worker for Fulton Public Schools.
After returning to school to obtain her master's in social work from the University of Missouri, she landed a job as the supervisor for Audrain County Children's Division.
Brittany's goal, as she stays home, is to get licensed in social work and return to the social work field once her son recuperates.
What was your first job?
I was a barista at the Starbucks in the Hy-Vee in Jefferson City. I drove the old truck I got from my dad to Jefferson City every day. It was an incredibly interesting job.
Who inspires you the most?
It's probably a tie between my two younger siblings and Maverick. I would say the reason they inspire me the most is I've kind of been a caretaker my entire life, so all of the decisions I've made and all of the things that I've done, I've done keeping them in mind because I want to be someone they are proud of. I want to be someone they can look up to, I want to be someone that can inspire them.
What have you done that has been most fulfilling?
Probably just being a social worker is one of the most fulfilling things that I've done. I've gotten to work with hundreds of kids in the foster care system and all the different families, so working with them and seeing my work with them make a difference. I think it's been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in my life.
What is something you are proud of that you've been recognized for?
I would go back to my kiddos. I think a lot of the kids that I have worked with or even the families I have worked with and helping them get connected to services or anything that helps them create a really safe and loving home they can live in forever, whether they're returning home or finding their forever family. I think those have been the most impactful moments I can think of.
If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
When I was younger I told everyone I wanted to drive an ice cream truck and be the ice cream lady. I think I've changed it a little bit. I think what I would like to do - my dream job - is to be a counselor. I would love to go into counseling and work with children and families one-on-one dealing with mental health. Mental health is an incredible passion of mine, so anything dealing with that and working with kids and families.
What is a job you wouldn't want to do?
I could not work in one spot from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. I like to get out and be in the community. I couldn't do anything that would require me to stay at a desk all day. I like being out, I like traveling, talking to people, interacting with people. So nothing that wouldn't let me interact with people.
What is your favorite thing about Callaway County?
In the last year, we have obviously had a lot of difficult things happen with Maverick's diagnosis, so I think my absolute favorite thing about Callaway County is just everyone's ability to come together in such large masses and take care of one another. When someone is hurting, someone is sick, when someone has gone through something difficult, everyone can come together and just go above and beyond to support one another. And I think that tight-knit, small town community you couldn't get things like that anywhere else. You couldn't get things like that in a bigger city. Everybody jumps in and takes care of one another; they look out for each other, and I absolutely love it. And I've been very grateful for it lately.