I am looking forward to a wonderful year teaching Dance at Gus Almquist Middle School.
Some background on me... I grew up in Dripping Springs, Texas. I began dancing in middle school! At the age of 13 at a local studio. I was a member of the high school dance/drill team, serving as both a social officer and Captain while on the Dripping Springs Hi-Steppers. From high school, I continued my education in Dance at Texas State University. While at Texas State, I was a member of the Largest University Dance Team in the Nation, the Texas State Strutters. I received my BFA in Dance while attending Texas State. I began my teaching career at Hutto High School in 2015 when I was a long term substitute and assistant director of Hi-Steppers. In 2016, I was hired as a full time teacher at HHS where I was the Hi-Stepper director from 2016-2020. From 2020 - 2024, I was at Farley MS. This will be my 9th year of teaching in Hutto ISD and I am very excited to open up Gus Almquist MS.
My husband, Donald Merchant and I have been married since December 2019. We have two beautiful baby girls named Madison & McKenzie. They both attend Little Hippo Daycare.
I really look forward to a great year at Gus Almquist Middle School with the wonderful kids we have at HISD!