Highlights

Not only am I a teacher, I am also a mom to three children. We love being part of the Tinley Park community and are active in volleyball, piano lessons, and gymnastics. Raising my children at different ages helps me to understand how to deal with children and the differences between each individual.

Here is a picture of me working with my students. I have students from Egypt, Jordan, India, Palestine, Poland, Uzbekistan, China, and many others. Every year new students come and join our school community. I love teaching. It is my passion and my dream.

A teacher in elementary school first encouraged me to study music. I continue to share my talents in piano, guitar, and accordion. I help out with winter festivals at school and also play and sing in my church community. I use my talent to sing educational songs with EL students.

I created a Bilingual Word Wall in my classroom. This includes pictures and words to help students feel confident and secure when they see different languages represented. Every culture matters in my classroom. The bilingual word wall makes students and staff wonder and ask questions about different languages and different backgrounds as well. It gives me good opportunities to talk about people from different countries and different cultures.

I have been selected as the October 2022 recipient of the SHSD161 Summit Award!

The summit – the highest point of a hill or mountain – symbolizes those who go a little further, offer a little more, and serve others above themself to rise above challenges and exceed expectations. The Summit Award is presented by our Board of Education each month (September through May) to recognize those who go above and beyond and make a difference in our school district.

I was nominated by DJR Assistant Principal Tracy Bulfer for going above and beyond to help students and families whose first language is not English.