I was born in Issaquah and then later my family moved to Snoqualmie when I was in 6th grade. We lived on several acres with a small collection of farm animals and a large garden. I spent as much time as I could riding horses and playing school sports.
I graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelors of Science and worked as a Physical Therapist for ten years. I returned to school in 1999 to earn a Masters degree from City University and began teaching at Carl Sandburg. In 2009 I achieved National Board Certification which challenged me to grow in many in new directions and show my commitment to best practices in the field of education. In my own classroom I love to find creative ways to actively engage students and challenge learners at many levels.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my large extended family, taking runs on the Burke Gilman Trail with one of my sisters, or catching up on my endless reading list. I have two boys that are also crazy about soccer and so on the weekends you will often find me out watching one of their games or catching a Sounders match together.