Education:
I enjoyed a career as an R.N. for many years before returning to  college at Rowan University to become a teacher. I earned my Bachelor's degree  in Education and Communication / Writing Arts in 2003 and  completed specialty certification in
Reading the following year (2004).  This certification included extra Reading courses and  tutoring in Rowan University's Reading Clinic. Several years ago,
I returned to Fairleigh Dickinson University and earned a Master's Degree  as a "Reading Specialist." I've been teaching for 22 years, instructing students at almost every grade level (K-8) during some point in my educational career! 

Experience:
Initially, I taught 8th grade Language Arts in Gateway Regional School, and then joined Bell Oaks School, teaching 7th-grade Reading / Language Arts. I loved Bellmawr School District so much that I was eager to instruct all subjects here; 
I moved to Bellmawr Park School, where I taught fourth-grade for several years. 

Thereafter, I specialized in Basic Skills intervention (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Phonics, & Math); this gave me the opportunity to work with students in kindergarten through 4th-grade.  I enrolled in a Multi-Sensory Reading course and tutored at the Burlington County Dyslexia Clinic for a semester as well.

This school year, I am back at Bell Oaks as a Reading Specialist, offering Intervention for 5th-8th-grade students. Although assigned grade levels, groups of students, and subjects taught may change from year-to-year, it's always exciting to meet new children and watch them learn and grow. 

Education Philosophy:
I believe in life-long learning, and that all students - all people - are unique. Each of us has strengths, and I hope to increase the self-esteem of students who may face challenges by finding those strengths and building upon them. I believe in a multi-sensory approach to teaching, engaging students in a variety of activities, and promoting social learning; students should share their background knowledge and discuss thoughts and opinions in a safe and kind setting.