Being born and raised here in Wilmington, North Carolina was a wonderful experience. There is something special about living in a "beach town". I graduated from Hoggard High School in 1975 (yes, I am 65 years old). After getting my degree at UNC-Greensboro, I came back home and worked in our New Hanover County Schools. I also got another degree from UNC-Wilmington in the 1980's.

In 1986, I married my best friend and moved to Lousiville, Kentucky for my husband to get another degree in the seminary there. I taught 7th grade as well as 5th and 4th grade there. I also got my Master's at the University of Louisville. My husband was a Pastor to a Deaf Church for 2 years, so I became more skilled in using sign language. Later, my husband became Pastor of another church in very historical part of Lousville. We loved living there with our 3 West Highland Terriers and cat.

In 1999, my husband felt called to be a Pastor of a church here in Wilmington (Southside Baptist), so we headed "home". I started teaching at Snipes Elementary and was thrilled to be a part of the beginning of Rachel Freeman Elementary. I've taught 4th, 5th, Kindergarten, First Grade and now delighted to be back in Kindergarten. I have been at Freeman since it was built! I LOVE being a Freeman Bear! Our school is like "family" to me!

In 2015, my husband and I adopted our daughter from Bulgaria. She turned 21 this past October. She loves children and animals just like I do. After school, she works at our vet's office. Even though Emmie is our only child, we feel like we have other "children". We've had two exchange students (one from Japan and one from Germany) who lived with us for 10 months back in the mid '90's.

The last couple of years, I have taught sign language to my class and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Another fun thing is when my class gets to hear Katie and Spencer stories. Katie was adopted from a rescue in Tennessee 14 years ago. She had been in a "Puppy Mill" which is a very cruel way to live. This past June, we adopted a 12 year old Westie named Spencer. Both of them love to be with people. I want to also help my students learn to be compassionate to living creatures. I also love being able to call my students "my children".