I have been working at Bonny Eagle with alternative education since 2008 and have been working with adolescents since 2001 in various treatment settings. I love being in the school environment and feel as though I learn something every day from students. When I am not social working, I enjoy taking advantage of all the outdoor opportunities Maine has to offer with my family, and when I am indoors, I can most likely be found watching Law & Order.

My guiding principle is the proverb “Fall 7 times, stand up 8.”

I have been in the field of social work for about 10 years and have worked with all types of people.  I started off working with kids during my undergraduate years at the University of Vermont and then worked with a Hospice agency while getting my masters at Bridgewater State University.  After my graduate program, I came to Maine and began working at an agency that served families who were involved with the child welfare system.  While I worked as a program supervisor there, I was able to obtain my license to practice as a clinician.  Prior to coming to the High School, I had the privilege of providing outpatient counseling and HCT services to individuals and families of all ages.  I particularly enjoyed working with the teens on my caseload.

As for my interests, I love being outside, creating, and hanging with my cats (Benny and June) and dog (Shadow).  I also love a good cup of coffee, captivating tv shows, and funky podcasts (always looking for recommendations).  I have a strong interest in mindfulness and hope to implement these practices in my work with students and faculty at the High School. 

A couple of my favorite movies are Funny Girl and A League of Their Own. 

Favorite Quote: "You can't stop the waves but you can learn how to surf." - Jon Kabat-Zinn

I’ve been a Social Worker and softball coach at the High School since 2012.  Before that, I worked at a couple of different agencies as a program supervisor and a Clinician for a trauma focused program.  My first job out of graduate school was as a clinician for a mobile crisis program, and before I went to graduate school I taught English in France.  In my free time I like to travel, golf, read, and sometimes just do as little as possible.  I believe that we're at our best when we can learn to live in the present moment as much as possible, whatever that may be.

I love people... I love talking to people, watching people, helping and supporting people and just being around people. As a native Mainer from a small rural town, with a large extended family that was very close, people have always fascinated me - I love to listen to the stories and lives of people. It is truly a wonder how I don't become more "peopled" out than I do. Even in my spare time, I like to read about people - whether famous or infamous, I love podcasts about people - (Crime Junkie is my absolute favorite) and I love documentaries about people. 

When I am not "peopling" I love to go camping, hiking, and kayaking with my family including my beagle Lily, as well as flower gardening and home improvement projects. I also enjoy spending time with friends at the beach, casino and bingo, or just going for coffee and spilling the tea. 

Professionally I started my career working at Spring Harbor Hospital and then realized that I wanted to do more. I then decided to go back to school to get my masters and since that time have worked in many settings including a psychiatric hospital, the emergency room, mobile crisis, an elementary, middle and high school, a summer camp and private practice with teens and adults.  

Book Recommendations and Favorite Authors:

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Patricia Cornwell 

Kristin Hannah

Jodi Picoult