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Educational Experience:

As far as my training, I have a BA in Social Sciences Secondary Education from the University of Northern Colorado with an additional History minor. This degree qualifies me to teach sociology, economic, anthropology, psychology, history, and geography in grades 6-12. I have continued my studies through the years in other areas revolving around literacy, technology, social emotional learning, and behavior modification. In 2013, I completed my master's degree as a Reading Specialist through Regis University. In the summers of 2018 and 2019, I completed 60 hours of Orton Gillingham training to round out my specialist degree. 

I began my teaching experience at Prairie Middle School in the Aurora part of the Cherry Creek School District. I taught there from 1992 to 2002. I took six years off running a daycare out of my home, so I could make money, be with my own children, and provide my kids with life long friends. I feel ever so lucky to have been hired at Newton in 2007.

Educational Philosophy:

My philosophies have developed out of my first teaching experience at Prairie Middle School with at-risk, low income, single parent, and highly transitory families, and my parenting experience with one learning disabled child, and one enrolled in the gifted and talented program. I have developed some philosophies that may change in the future, but for right now, I embrace them. 

Learning doesn't stop when a grade is due. Students are allowed to do or redo work anytime up until the end of the quarter without penalty. I believe that all students want to do well, even though some have had their light doused so often, they have forgotten what it feels like to succeed. I feel like it is part of my job to help them recognize that "Knowledge is power," as Francis Bacon said. I am not always successful at inspiring success, but I try. The book Mindset by Carol Dweck has been my muse within this area of education.  Fair Isn't Always Equal by Rick Wormeli is a book which has resonated with my teaching beliefs from the beginning. Due to this text, I try to challenge kids based upon their personal wants and needs. In addition, from my Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) training, I have also adopted the belief that "Support without rigor is a tragic waste of potential, and rigor without support is a prescription for failure." Furthermore, I have become fascinated with brain development. Due to this learning, I include brain breaks and opportunities for complex, concentrated, cross hemisphere movement. Finally, in trying to understand my own child's needs, I read The Highly Sensitive Child and Anxiety Free Kids. These books have really just deepened my empathy for the 40% of the population that soaks in the world in such a rich way that it can be paralyzing at times.