I was born and raised in Montevideo. After graduating high school, I attended college at Southwest Minnesota State University. I graduated with a degree in elementary education and a specialty in language and communication arts. I subbed in Montevideo for one year before getting a teaching job in Clarkfield. I worked at the Clarkfield Area Charter School for seven years, teaching mostly fourth and fifth grade. In 2014, I began teaching third grade in Montevideo. I also taught a year of multi-age, before going back to teaching third grade. In 2018, I earned my Master's degree from Southwest Minnesota State University.