About Me
SUBJECTS
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
I believe that learning should be inspiring and explored through self-expression so students have a deeper understanding of the concepts being taught.
To delve deep into understanding, students need to connect to the concepts being taught through their background knowledge and real-life connections. I believe that the teacher’s role is to provide interesting thought-provoking questions so that the students are engaged and can explore the problem in a variety of fashions.
I believe that teaching should be student-driven and is authentic through valuable teachable moments. Teaching and learning should be playful and fun so that the students are excited to come back. I believe that a positive trusting relationship is the key to educational success with the students.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
I received my MFA in Integrating Arts into Education and my BA in Education with an endorsement in Special Education. I have continued studies in behavior management, sensory integration and play therapy. I currently teach continuing education classes at the community college focused on how to teach the common core standards in a playful kinesthetic manner.
I have spent most of my career in special education and have worked with students with varying pervasive developmental disorders such as autism, emotional disturbance, attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities. I have worked diligently and passionately toward better serving the students I work with by connecting with them and making their school days more successful.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I have been teaching since 2004 at the Elementary level. This includes teaching Special Education classes and various Adult Learning Continuing Education Classes.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- I am a mother of two amazing children. My daughter 14 and my son is 11.
- I love to draw realistic pictures with charcoal, but am becoming a little more abstract with my current exploration of encaustic art, which is working with beeswax. I also love to garden and preserve my food through dehydrating and canning. I love to run and have placed a few times in full marathons. I am passionate about hiking and backpack camping as well.