My career started back in 1986, teaching both French and Spanish in Massachusetts and Connecticut. I retired from LHS in 2020 in order to help with my grandchildren while my children went back to work, but I have really missed teaching for the past 6 years! When I heard LHS was looking for a part-time French teacher, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to return to the classroom. With my shortened schedule, it allows me to still take care of my grandchildren in the afternoons. I am looking forward to another fulfilling, enjoyable year at LHS. 

Growing up, I graduated from Holyoke High School, Mount Holyoke College (BA in Romance Languages), and Our Lady of the Elms (M.Ed). During my junior year at Mount Holyoke, I had the opportunity to study in Biarritz, France and Paris, France (Université de Paris, Sorbonne and Sciences-Po) and live with French families. This was an incredibly rewarding experience which allowed me to enhance my language ability and gave me the courage to seek teaching positions after graduation. Living with a French family for a year and attending school in which every class is conducted in French are the best ways to learn a language. I encourage all of you to take advantage of a study abroad program when you're in college. 

My family consists of my daughter and son-in-law who have 3 children and my son and daughter-in-law who have 2 children. My husband, who passed away almost 3 years ago, was an elementary school principal and loved working with the younger students. My daughter and son both graduated from LHS ( 2010 and 2015) and were very involved in the music program. My daughter graduated from UNC (Wilmington) in 2014 and works in higher education.  My son graduated from UMASS Amherst and Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and is a high school music teacher and assistant conductor of the Pioneer Valley Orchestra. My daughter-in-law works in finance. My son-in-law is a colleague of mine, teaching math at LHS and coaching soccer.

And I can't forget my pets. My cat, Jazz, is 17 years old and is friendly when she wants to be. Most of the time, she chooses not to be! My dog, Wilson, is 8 years old and is a rescue from Puerto Rico. My other dog, Ernie, is 7 years old and a rescue from Texas.  Both dogs are very friendly, energetic (!)  and they keep me busy every day!

We've already had a great start to the school year. Here's to a fun, productive, interesting year!