About the teacher

A little more...

I started my teaching career as a second grade teacher at Rhyne Elementary School in the 2000-01 school year. I came into teaching after 10 years in the private sector in jobs from retail to executive secretary. I have a BS in Resource Management with a concentration in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After moving from Greensboro back to Gastonia, I attended Central Piedmont Community College(CPCC) seeking certification in American Sign Language (ASL), though I was unable to complete the program, I remain interested in ASL and Deaf culture.

Upon moving home, I worked as a parish secretary at an Episcopal church in Charlotte and went to school both at CPCC and Belmont Abbey; completing the K-6 teacher licensure tract through the Adult Program at Belmont Abbey in May of 2000. Working at Rhyne Elementary was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. My second teaching year, I moved to Bessemer City Central (BCC) where I spent three years teaching third and fourth grades. During my time at BCC, I became a Pinnacle Leader for Gaston County Schools, helping to integrate technology in the classroom and served in the role of a TRICKS teacher (Technology and Reading Ignite Comprehension and Kindle Success). Though I loved my classrooms, when an opportunity to move into the media center came, I jumped at the chance and have not looked back.

Coming to North Gaston in 2004, with Principal Brent Boone, I have fulfilled many roles. I inherited the Broadcast team from the previous Teacher-Librarian and have worked to make a broadcast journalism program that will continue to benefit students after graduation. I assumed the role of yearbook advisor and have found that media, broadcasting and yearbook go hand in hand. These classes offered me the opportunity for continued education through the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association, housed at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. I have attended graduate classes in both TV/Radio Broadcasting and Newspaper/Yearbook production at UNC.

Taking the role of School Library Media Coordinator (SLMC) at North Gaston required that I continue my education and obtain a Masters degree in Library Science. I completed this program, graduating from East Carolina University in May of 2008. In the 2009-10 school year, I obtained my certification in English 9-12. In the 2010-2011 school year, I earned my National Board Certification in School Library Media, K-12.

I hold memberships in the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), the National Association of Educators (NEA), and the North Carolina School Library Media Association (NCSLMA). In 2008, I attended the NCSLMA conference and volunteered to help develop a state award for Young Adult books in the areas of middle and high schools. I assumed the chairmanship of this committee in January 2015.

During the 2011-12, my students and I participated in the "Gaston Goes Google Pilot Project."

In 2012-13, I took on the role of adviser for The Wildcat Wire, the schools' newspaper, which had been on hiatus for several years. The school newspaper site is The Wildcat Wire.

Please feel free to email me here.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT