Flip Charts Galore

I began my teaching career 18 years ago. I did my student teaching in a fifth-grade classroom and enjoyed every second of it. I was then hired mid-year as a kindergarten assistant. From there, I received my first full-time position as a first-grade teacher. I remained in first grade for four years. Two years later, I moved up to fourth grade, as upper elementary had always been my passion. After two years in fourth, I decided to make use of my ELL endorsement and taught ELL in a high poverty school for two years. I truly missed being in the classroom, though, and decided to take a third-grade position which is where I remained for the next ten years. This past year, I moved back to fourth grade and am loving every second of it.

I am a fairly laid back teacher, although my students would probably call me strict. I have high expectations and value hard work from my students. Yet, I have always believed in positive behavior supports and thus have always developed a nice rapport with my students year after year. I find it is far more effective to acknowledge and point out the good, rather than always focus on the negative. I enjoy bringing the creative into the classroom and love seeing my students engaged hands-on with learning activities. And, finally, I am excited to see the growth of technology usage in classrooms throughout the nation. I believe this is a very exciting time to be a teacher and I am thankful to be a part of it!

National Board Certified

I graduated from Bishop Manogue High School in Reno, Nevada in 1994 and earned a full academic scholarship to the University of Nevada Reno. However, I chose early motherhood, at the age of 20, rather than college after graduation and did not return to the university until 2003. At this point I entered the College of Education and graduated with distinction in the winter of 2005. I completed the credentials for the state of Nevada for my ESL endorsement in 2009 and am currently taking several courses to enhance my knowledge of how to use technology in the classroom. In 2018, I finished my Master's Degree in STEM education and am excited to put this new knowledge into use in my classroom!

I am the proud mother of four children, twin daughters aged 27, a 20-year-old daughter, and my only son, who is now 10. I also have a 5-year-old granddaughter who lights up our lives with her sweet and silly personality smile. I love staying active and fit and am constantly striving for ways to be the best person I can be in every regard. whether in the classroom, at home, or just in life! Positivity is the name of my game! Grateful for every day I am here to share in this life!