About Me

My Family!

Teaching 3rd and 4th grade was such a thrill.  Our "maiden voyage" with 1-to-1 iPads in the classroom began during the 2013-2014 school year.  I've learned the possibilities are truly endless for students.

I come from one of those crazy families where education is in our blood.  One of our favorite family past times is sitting around the kitchen table discussing education. We talk about what we can do to make OUR students more successful...the conversations can last for hours.

During the many years of my educational career I've had the following positions (in this order):

• student
• para professional
• elementary music
• computer education
• 6-8 social studies
• kindergarten
• 1st grade
• curriculum director
• assistant principal
• principal
• 4th grade
• 3rd and 4th grade title teacher 
• Instructional Coach 

I have only taught in 2 school districts and have loved every moment of my career. The path God has lead me down to get to where I am now has been an amazing journey. Six years ago if you would have asked me about my personal goal I would have responded, "to be superintendent of schools". Goals can change and I've learned that it's ok to change them.

Why did my goals change? After the death of my husband of 23 years, I relocated to a new city to be closer to family.   This change resulted in returning to the classroom.  As difficult as it was to make a decision to leave the district I had been part of for 15 years, I knew it was the right decision for me.  I loved moving to my new district and my fourth grade classroom. After teaching 4th grade for 2 years I became a title teacher.  During the 2015-2016 school year I begin a new journey as instructional coach.

One of our last family pictures before our lives changed!

As I continue my quest to help students be successful, I will share some of our excitement with you.  I'm not an expert teacher or coach! I'm just an ordinary educator who loves her students and is passionate about ensuring their success!



My Eugene Field 3rd Grade Team
2014-2015 School Year
Eugene Field Elementary

My 1st Grade Team

2001-2002

Fairview Elementary

Recent Presentations:
January 2016
Professional Communities Learning Together Workshop - AppMazing Race

July 2015
Ed Camp Global - Virtual Co-Teaching: Connect, Collaborate, and Customize Learning with Digital Tools #virtualcoteach

June 2015
ISTE Conference - Virtual Co-Teaching: Connect, Collaborate, and Customize Learning with Digital Tools

January 2015
Professional Communities Learning Together Workshop - Smackdown Mania
Professional Communities Learning Together Workshop - Easy Ways to Showcase Student Work

April 2014
Alan November Innovation Academy - Student Portfolios and Quadblogging

January 2014

Webb City Community Breakfast - Tech in 4th Grade

Professional Communities Learning Together Workshop - Meet Your App at "Appy Hour"


Certifications:
April 2014
Google Educator Certified

February 2014
Flipped Classroom Certified through Sophia.org.
Tablet Certified through Sophia.org.

Awards:
2013-2014 Elementary Cardinal Teacher
2012-2013 Webb City Innovation Application Approval