MEET THE TEACHER

My husband, John, and I grew up on the Iron Range in Hibbing, MN - about 100 miles from Canada. I earned my BA in Elementary Education from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and my Masters Degree with an Emphasis in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland in conjunction with the Montessori Training Center of MN. I have a Minor in American Indian Studies and a Bilingual Teaching Licensure in Ojibwe. Over the last 26 years I’ve taught 4th grade (St. Paul), preschool/kindergarten (Rochester Montessori School), and 2nd grade (Holy Spirit and St. Pius X in Rochester). I have also served as a paraprofessional for PEM as well as an Early Childhood Coordinator for Rochester Catholic Schools.   

I’ve taken time off here and there along the way to raise our 4 children - Samson (21 yrs. old, senior at NDSU), Baylor (20 yrs. old, sophomore at NDSU), MollyKate (18 yrs. old, freshman at the College of St. Scholastica), and Ruthie (12 yrs. old, 6th grade). We enjoy spending time at the cabin and visiting our northern families.  We also keep plenty busy around here with house/yard projects and staying active in the community and at our church. I’ve invested a lot of time on the trails cheering on the runners in my family and on the sidelines of a basketball court, soccer field, and softball field supporting all kinds of ball OR in the audience applauding the performing arts. I enjoy anything that involves design and construction and if I am being honest - my family would attest to this - my most favorite thing to do is dream up all kinds of ways to establish a classroom community that fosters a sense of belonging and makes learning meaningful, fun, and memorable!