I grew up in Long Beach, California in the land of sunshine and hot days. After high school I moved north to attend the University of California, at Santa Barbara where I received a B.A. in Sociology. The courses I enjoyed the most were those that focused on studying people and how they interact. I have found this experience has better enabled me to understand and teach the students in my class.

Following this I attended Humboldt State University in Eureka, California where I obtained my elementary teaching certificate. This was the first time I lived anywhere that was so green. I loved driving to student teach each day as I would glimpse the crashing waves of the ocean on one side as it met the luscious Redwood forest on the other. It is really quite beautiful there.

After completing my elementary teaching degree in 1998, I moved south to San Jose, California where I started my teaching career as a first grade teacher. I enjoyed teaching there, but in the end I decided the warm, dry climate wasn’t quite what I was looking for. So I decided to move even farther north to the Seattle area.

In 2001, I started here at Carl Sandburg Elementary. So far have experienced the joys of teaching both first and second grade. It is such a wonderful age. They have no limit to their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. During this time I returned to graduated school to achieved my Masters in Education. Then in 2009 I completed and received my National Board Certification.

My passion in teaching is challenging students to reach their personal best, take ownership of their education, and provide opportunities for students to push themselves to the next level in their learning.

Outside of school I enjoy going hiking with my husband and dog, learning and using anything technology related (I don’t know how I existed without the internet), reading, watching movies, and baking.