After graduating high school, I became an apprentice Marine Machinery Mechanic at Charleston Naval Shipyard, where I worked for 5 years before transferring to TRIDENT Refit Facility at Kings Bay, Georgia. While a journeyman mechanic at TRF, I repaired pumps and valves for a few years before being promoted to a training instructor. This was the beginning of my teaching career as I instructed apprentices, high school co-ops and journeyman mechanics in various trades. During this time, I decided to change careers in order to be home more with my children and began my formal education.
I attended evening classes twice a week for several years to earn my Bachelor's degree in Trades and Industrial Education. A few more classes and I was certified to teach middle school. Camden Middle School in Kingsland, Georgia was my first public education experience where I taught Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science.
My formal education continued after I moved back to Charleston and graduated from The Citadel with a Master's degree in Biology and added on the Master's + 30 a few years later. During that time, I taught science at Oakbrook Middle School and Biology, Physical Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, and Human Anatomy at Summerville High School.
The 2025-2026 school year is my seventh year with SDP. I currently teach Biology, Environmental Science, Introduction to Careers in Health Sciences, Personal Health and Wellness, Forensics and Medical Terminology with SDP and HSAP.