As a child I lived in Kansas, Missouri, California, and Illinois before my family finally settled down in Bellevue, Washington. I graduated from Interlake High School in the same class as my future husband, but didn’t know him then.

I went to the University of Washington where I finished my undergraduate education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art, and then started at the UW School of Education. A year and a half later I finished with my Elementary Teacher Certification. After all of that work I was uncertain whether I wanted to be a teacher though, and after only a few months of substitute teaching I decided to try retail. Imagine what my parents thought after they had paid for all of that education!

I returned to education as a preschool teacher after I met my husband and moved to San Diego, California. Our two children were born while we lived there. After my husband left active duty with the Navy we moved to Boulder, Colorado where my husband began his career with United Airlines. With both of my kids in school all day, I decided to try elementary teaching again. I worked to get my Colorado Teaching Certificate and became a reading specialist in a high needs elementary school in Boulder.

Our family moved to Bainbridge Island in 2002 to be closer to family. Both of our children were enrolled at Blakely and that was when we discovered what a great school it is! In 2007 I started teaching first grade at Blakely with Ms. Weldy for one year, then I switched to teaching second grade with Ms. Ball in 2008. In 2011 I completed my Professional Certification, and then moved to teach third grade full time in 2012. Finally, in 2016 I returned to second grade. It took me awhile to get around to it, but I can’t imagine doing any other job. I look forward to going to work every morning.