Val DeFever was born and raised in Independence. She attended ICC for 1 1/2 years and later graduated from Pittsburg State University with a BS in Education. She taught in the local school district for 14 years, owned Musical Overtures in downtown Independence for 17 years and lobbyied in Topeka for small schools for 6 years. She has been selling real estate for the past 5 years. DeFever has strongly demonstrated her commitment to education, serving on the local #446 school board and the Kansas State School Board. While working on both these boards she become convinced of the importance of post secondary education and the need for all of us to be life long learners.