In college, I went for a double major and a double minor.  Having an interest in Education, Music, Theology and Spanish, I wanted to do missionary work in Central and/or South America.  1996, I graduated with a BA. in Theology with a lot of education classes as the transfer of certification from Ohio to Illinois was not equal.  My A.A. was in Early Childhood Development, and I enjoyed my SPED classes, and classroom experiences.  I also fell in love, and got married a month after graduating.  Teaching in a small private school that first year out of college, I enjoyed the comaradarie of the teachers and the staff and was grateful for support to raise my daughter.

 

For the next 20 years,  I homeschooled, while doing youth ministry, singing for weddings and funerals, taking many part time jobs from children's church choirs, to children's community choir.  From sales at Macy's to giving Voice and Piano lessons at Morgan Music in Eau Claire.  Substitute teaching while being an O.D. Tech for an optometrist was a great joy.

 

After some major health concerns, and battles, I started for my Master's Degree from GCU on line.  I couldn't decide between SPED and Elementary Education.  With tremendous support from my family and friends, I have navigated the last 2 1/2 years and will graduate shortly with a dual concentration.  While working as an SEA, I found that the commitment and dedication of the staff and families in Eau Claire are truly remarkable.  Looking in this area to live and to thrive has been the focus of my last few months.       

 

 As an educator, I stand out as one who is willing to try anything to help a student.  I am committed to finding the best educational path for my students.  As a committed individual to personal care, I believe that our young people must be aware of how individual choices affect those around them, and how to work well with others.  As a mother of adults, and teenagers, I know how kids work and have incredible patience.  I seek a long haul, a big educational picture- the benchmarks, while focusing on the details and objectives  in daily teaching practices.  For more on my teaching philosophy, feel free to watch the video.  So many researched best practices are now known, and I am open to implementing what works best for the students, or what a team offers/ decides is best for the group of students being worked with.  Collaborating is key in our modern teaching circles.  I look forward to working with educational teams in the future.