I am from western Pennsylvania (go Steelers!!) My parents were both teachers. I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) with a double major in international studies and Spanish. While there, I had the opportunity to live and study in Spain. This experience helped me to develop my love of Spanish. After I graduated from IUP, I attended Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and graduated in 1989. My husband, Mark, and I were married, moved to Morgantown, West Virginia where we began our family. Later on, in 1997, we moved to upstate South Carolina. I attended Clemson University in 1998 to receive my certification classes and began my teaching career at Greer High School in 1999. Now, I am working here at Hillcrest Middle and enjoying it immensely!
We have three children: Kristen (35 years old), John (32 years old) and Katherine/Kate (22 years old); our oldest daughter got married in November 2020 to a wonderful young man, Mark Blazek. Kristen and Mark now have two boys: Joseph and Noah. Noah was born on August 4, 2025, so my husband and I are enjoying our time as grandparents! Our other daughter, Kate, got married to Jeremiah Martinez in February 2025. Fun fact: Jeremiah was once one of my Spanish I students here at Hillcrest Middle School!
Educational Background:
January-June 1986: Lived in Valladolid, Spain and attended classes for foreigners (extranjeros) at Universidad de Valladolid, Spain
1987: Received Bachelor of Arts/Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
-Majors: International Studies with a concentration in Latin America/Spanish
1989: Received Master of Public and International Affairs/University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
1999: Received South Carolina Teaching Certification/Clemson University, Clemson, SC
2007: Received AP Certification/University of South Carolina-Upstate, Spartanburg, SC
Professional Background:
August 1999-September 2002: Taught a variety of Spanish classes, including Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III Honors at Greer High School, Greer, SC
August 2005-June 2009: Taught Spanish I and Spanish II at Blue Ridge High School, Greer, SC
August 2009-Present: Teaching Beginning Spanish and Spanish I for high school credit at Hillcrest Middle School, Simpsonville, SC