What drew you to EEE?

EEE allows for so much creativity from both scholars and teachers. Everyday is a new experience. 

Who inspires you most. Why?

My parents. Both of my parents have done amazing things at ages in which a lot of people would say, "I'm too old." My mom went to medical school at 56 and my dad had his first novel published at age 60. They are a wonderful example of, "it's never too late." 

What is favorite material to teach?

I love using books in most of my lessons. I came late to reading (I didn't read until third grade) and I want to help my scholars develop meaningful connections to books and literature from an early age.

Favorite Quote?

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”       ― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre 

What experiences have you brought to EEE?

I have 25 years of teaching experience in grades K-12. Most recently I have taught middle school social studies in Columbia Public Schools for the past 18 years.  Before that I did a little bit of everything, from teaching third grade, high school photography, middle school chess, and elementary media center lessons at an international school in Milan, Italy, to teaching middle school Texas history in Austin, Texas.  My undergraduate degrees are in Architectural Studies and Art History, and I am so excited to bring some of that knowledge and background to EEE.

Who inspires you most?

My students immediately come to mind.  I love teaching, and one of the reasons is the inspiration I get from my students, whether they are elementary, middle school, or high school aged.  I learn so much from them each day. 

Describe one of your passions.

I love to travel to new places and immerse myself into the culture.  I lived in Italy for four years, and travel there regularly to visit family. Traveling to new places can be challenging, but I love how much one grows from it, and the different perspective it gives one’s life.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at EEE? 

My favorite part about working at EEE is definitely the scholars. I love their desire for knowledge, their natural curiosity, their abundance of creativity, and how each child is unique. 

Why do you feel teaching art is important? 

The visual arts are important because it provides scholars with real life skills and knowledge. Some of the most important lessons that the arts can teach are creative problem-solving skills, decision-making, fine motor skills, risk-taking, paying attention to details, and inventiveness. The arts provide a challenge for learners at all levels while allowing scholars to make connections with different cultures throughout time. 

Favorite quote?

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”                                 ― Pablo Picasso 

What areas of mathematics do you enjoy teaching most and why?

I’m drawn to the study of geometry, statistics, and spatial reasoning. Seeking the unknowable is also enjoyable to me. I enjoy bringing the idea of mathematical paradox and uncertainty to my scholars. When picking my curriculum, I look for topics that excite me and will lend themselves to an enduring  understanding of mathematics.

Why do you feel learning mathematics is important?

I believe learning mathematics is important, in part, because I have such a strong interest in making evidenced-based decisions. My goal is for scholars to become mathematically-literate decision makers. I want them to understand what questions to ask and how to weigh evidence to make informed choices.

What do you find most rewarding about teaching?

The scholars. Our EEE scholars wonder, question and are a great combination of intellect, creativity and enthusiasm. They are our gift and working with them is a responsibility I take seriously. There have been countless moments when I have walked out of my classroom and said to myself, “This is why I love to teach.”

What drew you to EEE?

What drew me to EEE was the creativity! I  have a particular interest in gifted learners. My goal is to find their strengths and foster those so they can become the most well-rounded learner  they can possibly be. Giving students a space where they can critically think and problem solve at a young age is a dream come true for me. 

What is one of your favorite places you’ve visited and why? 

Greece is at the top of my list! There is something about the vivacity, the culture, the people- that I love.  A happy go lucky feeling as you stroll the streets, but still a great sense of pride.   It truly captures my heart. Though I am not Greek, I love what the culture stands for. 

What do you find most rewarding about teaching?

The relationships I have built are the most rewarding aspect of teaching. I’m inspired by my students as scholars and people. Igniting their potential is my passion. I want them to know I am in their corner and rooting for them. 

What experience have you brought to EEE?

I have been part of the CPS Gifted Education Program for about 20 years, retiring officially from CPS in 2022. I am pleased to be returning this year on a part-time basis teaching first grade. During my tenure, I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from scholars ranging from kindergarten through 5th grade. I love them all! 

Why do you feel teaching first grade is important?

I think first grade is a special age where young children benefit from a rich environment with many exposures to problem-solving and opportunities to explore as they learn to communicate with greater precision. A big part of each day with first grade learners is helping kids look at challenges with openness, curiosity, and creativity while celebrating their efforts in risk-taking as they think in new ways, persist through the hard stuff, and find ways to communicate their new understandings to peers.

Decribe one of your passions.

I love the opportunity the EEE program offers to explore historical people and cultures. I try to incorporate how things came to be understood in the way they are today by connecting learning to earlier civilizations and how they thought about the world wherever possible. The exploration of ancient peoples and their belief systems lends itself to the arts which is not only important to me personally, but also as a means of helping kids interact with content. I try to paint and draw my own nature observations in personal journals as often as I can. I find this kind of artistic outlet improves my understanding of the natural world and keeps me asking questions. I have become passionate about birds and love to share this nature-joy with my family, community, and kids!

What experience have you brought to EEE? 

Before coming to EEE, I taught middle school science for 21 years, and coached Science Olympiad for 13 years. I love teaching science classes and working with scholars to prepare for academic competitions. I also have a background in vocal music performance, and I enjoy being able to teach performing arts classes at EEE. 

What is your favorite class to teach and why? 

I love all the classes I teach at EEE, but my favorite class is our fall production - either a play or a musical. Gifted learners find their "voice" while studying the performing arts, and discover they are natural leaders and problem solvers. They build their self-confidence through creative expression and develop cognitive abilities that complement study in other disciplines. 

What do you enjoy most about teaching at EEE? 

The best thing about teaching at EEE is having the time to truly explore content in depth. This gives scholars the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions, to explore many possible solutions to a problem, to repeatedly test an idea or design, and to edit and revise their work until it represents their best effort. 

What drew you to EEE? 

The scholars!  Children's innate curiosity and desire to understand their world around them makes teaching a joy.  

What about teaching the sciences do you enjoy the most and why? 

I have many teaching passions, but teaching science is definitely at the top of my list.  The sciences allow children to understand the world in a complex way and allow for cross-curriculum exploration and development.  Within the sciences, I am most drawn to earth and life sciences.  I am fascinated by the wonder and awe of earth and space exploration, the advancement of technology and the work the citizens of the world do together to better understand our world and universe. 

Describe some of your other teaching passions. 

I have a background in music education and psychology.  I have a passion for understanding how the brain works, how children learn and develop, and how these things can be enhanced through art integration.  

Describe some of the other hats you were when not at school.

I am a mom of five beautiful children, love to garden, run, make music, and play chef in the kitchen!