I believe that every student is capable of success, no exceptions. I believe we can help children reach their full potential when we foster a safe, caring, risk-free learning environment. We need to identify how a student learns and differentiate the way we teach to meet each students’ needs.

I attended Eastern Michigan University. I originally was studying to become a nurse because of my love for science. After working at an afterschool program, I switched my major to education. I graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education. I earned my Michigan Teaching Certificate as well as an Arizona Teaching Certificate. While teaching in Arizona I worked toward a Gifted Education endorsement as well as a Structured English Immersion endorsement.

I was a student teacher for a fifth grade classroom. Prior to graduation, I taught English in South Korea, where I was able to teach grades K-6th. I was then a substitute teacher for a year in Michigan before getting a full time teaching position in a 4th grade classroom in Arizona. I taught in Arizona for 2 years before moving home to Michigan to be closer to family and become an aunt!

I was a cheerleader at Eastern Michigan University. I have also coached cheerleading for over 10 years, including ages 6-12 for the city teams and the junior varsity team at the high school level.