I was born in Colorado Springs, but grew up in Widefield, which I absolutely loved. I went to South Elementary (now Venetucci Elementary), Watson Junior High, and graduated from Widefield High School--Go Gladiators! I loved growing up in a small-ish town (it was back then!) and I grew up with great people. My mom was a teacher's aid when I was in school, and she would bring home old worksheets and leftover workbooks, so I set up school in our back yard and "taught" school to the neighboorhood kids. Teaching is in my DNA.

Once I graduated from Widefield HS, I went to CSU in Fort Collins, Colorado; I came home after the first semester, homesick and shell-shocked from how big the university was. I decided to take some time off from college and explore a bit, and just about then I found an ad in the paper for work as a nanny on the east coast. I jumped at the chance, and before I knew it, I had packed my bags and headed to Connecticut where I became the live-in caregiver for a wealthy family with two little girls. It was a great experience--I lived a train ride away from New York City, and I spent many of my weekends exploring the city and learning to live on my own.

After working as a nanny, I was ready to try school again. Over the course of the next few years, I earned my B.A. in English from UCCS and then followed that with three semesters in the Teacher Education Program, graduating with a degree in English and a certificate in Elementary Education. I am currently working on an M.Ed. in Literacy.

I was a middle school English Language Arts teacher and middle school Instructional Coach for 15 years. The 2022-2023 school year is my sixth year teaching 5th grade, and I absolutely love it. My many years' experience teaching Middle School makes me uniquely confident in helping 5th graders get ready for the challenge middle school represents. Fear not; your child is in good hands!

I am married to the love of my life, and I have two grown children. Outside of school, my family and our three dogs are my greatest pleasure.