I believe students learn best in an upbeat, supportive atmosphere. Students build new knowledge upon that which they already know, so it is important for teachers to establish connections between past and current lessons and to engage student curiosity and interest. It is also vital for young learners to see the real-life applications of the material and to understand how they will use the material either now or in the future. Furthermore, it is vital for teachers to discover a student’s individual learning style and to implement teaching strategies accordingly. Education is not a “one size fits all” endeavor, yet all students can learn – and better yet, all students can learn that education is a lifelong process full of discovery and excitement!

I received my Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Secondary Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Since then, I have taken additional college courses and professional development workshops to gain further expertise in areas such as differentiation, teaching reading skills in the secondary level, and implementing the core curriculum.

I have been teaching in the classroom since 1997 for English, Social Studies and Test Preparation. I really enjoy working with my students and watching them grow and succeed.

I am an avid reader and enjoy reading for both pleasure and for professional development. Since I enjoy finding new lesson plans and ways to present information to my students, I can often be found on the computer searching online teacher resources. I also love the great outdoors and make an effort to spend some of my free time walking, swimming, bird-watching, or just enjoying nature.