Through positive, meaningful relationships with students and coworkers, I will encourage students and fellow teachers to reach their potential by fostering a growth mindset, encouraging collaboration and engagement, and increasing their social/emotional learning.
I am a graduate of Western Michigan University in Business Administration/Marketing. After working in the hotel industry in sales/marketing/catering, I went back to school for education, as I always had in the back in my mind that I wanted to be a teacher, and I'm so glad I did! I graduated from University of Illinois-Springfield with my Education degree and am certified in K-9 (Elementary, and Middle School Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math), as well as English as a Second Language and Academically Gifted certifications. I am also a Nationally Board Certified Teacher.
Connections with students are extremely important to me, as building relationships is the first key to success with student learning. I believe in working as a team - parents, students, communities, and teachers!
I'm originally from Michigan, where I lived until I married my husband. We moved to Illinois for three years, then Maryland for three years, then finally to North Carolina, where we have lived for the past 19 years. We love NC! But, I am a University of Michigan fan. Go Blue! I have two children, a son who is 23 and a daughter who is 18. I also have one sweet dog named Izzy and a friendly cat named Kylie. We live in Fuquay-Varina. I love animals, traveling, reading, scrapbooking, and of course, the beach AND the mountains. I have a passion for traveling and have been to Japan and China on a trip with teachers, Italy with my husband, and to Bolivia, Haiti, and Costa Rica on mission trips.
