I was born and raised in Claremore. Graduated from Claremore High School in 1998 and quickly started attending Rogers State University, known then as Rogers University, where I obtained my bachelors in environmental biology. Two years later Friends University in Wichita, KS felt I had achieved their requirements for a masters degree in environmental studies.

As a continuation of my graduate school internship, I started working for the Rogers County Conservation District after college. We were located on the nature reserve at Rogers State University and handled the state conservation commissions education requirements for most of the conservation districts in the state. While working there I started coaching baseball at Claremore High School and later began working as a paraprofessional there. I received my alternative certification and have been teaching science now for over ten years.