Fortunately, this year I am able to remain at Pt. Higgins and teach students in the Special Education program. This year will be my 31st year of teaching, and the eighth year with the state of Alaska. Prior to moving to Ketchikan, my husband and I taught for a year on the North Slope and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My husband is currently teaching Construction and Wood Working skills at Kayhi, and our daughter teaches English and Language Arts in North Carolina. Prior to moving to Ketchikan, I taught Special Education and Library Science at Pickerington North High School in Pickerington, Ohio. While living and working in Ohio, I earned a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science at Kent State University.

I met my husband while teaching in North Carolina, where I am from originally. Shortly after we married, I earned a Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of North Carolina. After graduating from high school, I attended Methodist University where I earned a B.A., in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. During my four years as a Monarch, I played on the tennis and volleyball teams.

After earning my degree, I worked in the banking and airline industries, and taught swimming lessons at the YMCA on the weekends. While working with the little people as a lifeguard and swim instructor, I realized that I wanted to become a teacher, so I earned an undergrad degree in Special Education from the University of North Carolina.

As a teacher, I believe that education should focus on the whole child-their academic, social, emotional, and functional skills-so that students are prepared for lifelong success. Instruction should be individualized, data-driven, and rooted in evidence-based practices. Collaboration with general educators, paraprofessionals, families, and related service providers is essential to ensure consistency and support across all settings.

I enjoy being with my family, reading, researching, participating in church activities, and spending as much time as possible outdoors. I like hot and humid weather as well as bone chilling weather. Ketchikan is a great place to live and work, but there are times when taking a vacation to a dry and sunny city improves one's life.