STAFF BIO

Born and raised in Sacramento, I've been teaching since 1997. After graduating from CSUS with a degree in Liberal Studies, I completed my Multiple Subjects Credential with CLAD emphasis and a supplemental credential in English. I started my career at Westside Charter School teaching 7th and 8th grade while I finished my MA in Education, with an emphasis in Arts Education. I taught 4th grade at Pioneer School where I worked with Dr. Robeson and a team of others to write the CCAA charter. In 2005, I was hired with Ms. Williams, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Brooks and Mrs. Jones to help Principal Breault start our CCAA program, and I have been here loving life ever since. In 2008, I was selected to be a part of the Shakespeare's Globe Academy Teacher program through the UCDavis Mondavi Center and spent 2 weeks in London exploring all things Shakespeare. In the summer of 2015 and again in 2018, I attended the Kennedy Center "Changing Education Through the Arts" professional development in Washington D.C. I believe that even though I'm not an artist myself, I have an enthusiasm for the arts and that is what I want for the children I teach. I'm one of those teachers who became a teacher because she loved school and learning herself, and I enjoy presenting material to others and encouraging students to solve their own problems to become independent thinkers. I enjoy reading (have you seen the "Gone' series! and the novel "Wonder"??!), going to the theater (especially musicals), having game nights or dinners with friends, traveling and watching TV shows (Amazing Race, Gotham, Once Upon a Time, Big Brother - to name a few!) with my husband Bill and stepchildren, Brittany and James.

Brittany graduated from CCAA in 2018 and James is currently in the US Army after graduating from Foothill HS in 2016- so proud of them both!! The school year 2019-2020 was peppered with a lot of tears as we lost our 15 year old poodle Pismo in the fall and my husband passed away in April 2020. I know they are still with me daily! I collect dragons and watches. I also absolutely love all puppies, especially my own. After Pismo pass away, my husband chose our next fur baby - a white bull terrier (yes. like the Target dog, Spuds Mackenzie and Chico in the Friday movies). Her name is Chica, and she just turned 2 in July 2021. Each day she is a joy and the epitome of my husband's personality, just in dog form :) She enjoys binge watching many shows with me and keeps me busy. Joyously, life has blessed us with another reason to rejoice - my granddaughter, Emilia Naomi Corben was born July 3, 2021.