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I could say a lot about me, about teaching, about Kendrick Lakes...but I probably should focus on what you as a parent would want to know most about their child's teacher...
I've worked with kids in part-time jobs through college and graduate school, and then since graduating in 1985. My Bachelor's Degree was in Developmental Psychology with a minor in Athletic Coaching, and my Master's was in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Counseling. I've been a Preschool Director, a Camp Director, a Youth Director for a community center, a Girl Scout Service Unit Manger an Outdoor Services Manager, a Youth Fitness Director, until I finally became a teacher. I've been teaching since 1999. I'm endorsed in English as Second Language, Preschool, Physical Education, and Gifted and Talented; and have finished all the coursework and currently just need the field work to complete the endorsement for Digital Teacher Librarian. I've taught all of those specializations, but Gifted and Talented and Technology are my passions. I've been focusing on GT for fifteen years, and have taught at the KLES GT Center since 2008. I've taught all grades between 1st-8th for at least one year except 2nd, but have spent almost all of my years teaching 4th and 5th.
My youngest daughter and I at a wedding many years ago (when her hair was blonde and I was younger and thinner!)
My youngest daughter has the same writing and creative gifts as my older daughter and is a whiz with graphic art on the computer. Her passion is video game production, film, graphic art, anime and character design. Her favorite school experience was at Warren Tech in game design where her talent for this medium exploded. She was a licensed graphic artist at age 17 and was a professional actress as well; she has acted in one independent movie that came out as an independent film (it's on Amazon Prime!!) Last year she spent the fall in Japan, learning the language and culture, and went to CU Boulder in the Spring. She's currently a sophomore majoring in Film Production.
My girls and I joke that we got the creative/outside the box gene and the "boys in the family" got the science gene (all three of my brothers and my nephews are all in the sciences as well!)
All three of my children are unique in how their "giftedness" effected them social/emotionally. I am well-versed with experience as a parent in overexcitabilities, emotional intensity, stubbornness, creativity, perfectionism, and a connection to a world-focus. Anyway, having attended gifted programming myself through school and having been a parent of gifted kids for 30 years and a trained facilitator in Love and Logic, I have a unique perspective that helps work with both GT kids and their parents. All you need to do is shoot me an email, set up a time and we can talk about whatever you need. When I hear that a parent is frustrated or concerned, it is always second hand; they haven't come in to talk to me to seek resolution. Communication is key when it comes to your children-come see me first if you have questions or concerns; that's the fastest way to get your answers or problem solved!
I have three children; all gifted themselves, but SOOO very different. My oldest daughter is my Jack of All Trades Gifted Child. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in English and is a brilliant writer and is extremely creative and witty. She was packed and ready to head to the University of Glasgow for graduate school and "do research," but listened to her inner voice and decided to follow her burning creative passion instead. She finished graduate school at La Cordon Bleu and worked as a professional chef for a few years. Then she decided to try her hand at managing a gym. She also traveled the US seeking out more passions. She is now an Animal Control Officer. My son completed three Bachelor's degrees at CU Boulder: astro physics, general physics, and computer science. He completed his Master's degree in robotics and artificial intelligence and is currently a computer engineer for Qualcomm. He is extremely athletically gifted, and was more mechanically, mathematically, and scientifically inclined probably in 9th grade than I ever was.
My son and daughter and I in San Diego in 2017.
My favorite part of teaching is teaching anything through technology; but a close second is seeing the growth kids make in writing from the first day of school to the last. In my class it is hard to write a schedule saying "this time is X time," as we are generally doing reading, writing, and social studies or science all at the same time. Math does tend have it's own sacred time of the day though. I also love taking on the challenge of making learning fun, and challenging every student to reach just a little bit higher and grow a little bit more each day. Challenging gifted students is the best part of teaching.
Before the pandemic, I had three other jobs. I taught Zumba for 8 years, but in 2019 my knee went out and I had to stop, which was very sad for me. Various health problems have made for some difficult years. I had a second job working part-time in a bookstore in my community (but it closed during the pandemic.) I also did catering and bartending work. (I'm not a glutton for over-working; I'm a single mom.) I'm also dedicated to women's issues in my own community and until I hurt my knee, I volunteered 96 hours a month (on-call) for both the Mountain Peace Shelter and for the Park County Sheriff's Office where I served as a Victim's Advocate. I am passionate about helping women who need a hand.
I also love camping, traveling, swimming, yoga, movies, enjoying good conversation with friends, reading, dancing, learning new things, and having fun with my dogs. The last few years were difficult as my dear Leonberger, Thor, and my cat Zazzy both crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Loki also lost her eyes to glaucoma, so I'm a "special needs mom" too. We adopted a new dog in 2019, and am down to one cat. We are animal people in my family!
My babies: Thor and Loki
Living on in memory..... Thor and Zazzy
Newest member of the family, Deku. Quite a clown!
This is an example of a tech project from a few years back, "All About Me." In previewing this example you'll also learn more about me, your child's teacher!
This is an example of a tech project from a few years back, "All About Me." In previewing this example you'll also learn more about me, your child's teacher!
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