About me

I live in rural Battle Lake with my family, Sean, and Fred (16). My oldest son, Isaac (21), is starting his fourth year at the University of MN College of Science and Engineering. When not teaching I enjoy spending my time in our pottery studio, Pomme de Terre Pottery, and our garden. I grew up in West St. Paul, Minnesota. I received a BA in Asian Studies/Chinese from St. Olaf College.  In 2005 I earned a BFA focusing on ceramics from the University of NE, Lincoln. Finally,  I finished all of my teaching credentials from Bemidji State.  At St. Olaf,  my junior year was spent in Shanghai.  When I graduated, I moved to Taiwan where I spent two years teaching English to Chinese speakers of all ages and also continued to study Chinese. Returning to the United States, I landed in Portland, OR where I worked at Chinese Adoption Services. During my time at CAS I led over 300 adoptive families to China and back.  My family moved to Battle Lake in 2005. This is my seventeenth year teaching Chinese at Battle Lake School. I greatly enjoy it and look forward to this school year!