I am a wife, a mom, a daughter, an aunt, a teacher and a friend. In addition to being a teacher, I love to travel, cook, craft, coach Fine Arts Drama with my husband at our church, listen to music and spend time with my family. I will be celebrating my 22nd wedding anniversary this December. My husband Doug is also a teacher. He teaches 5th grade in Greenville, MI. We have two children, ages 16 and 12. I cannot believe that we have a high schooler and a middle schooler! YIKES!
I received a BA in Spanish with K-12 certification from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Go Spartans! I taught elementary Spanish in Lewisville, North Carolina for several years before moving to Grand Rapids in 1998. I also taught Spanish through the Community Ed Department at Forsyth Technical Community College while living in NC.
Since moving to Grand Rapids, I've worked for FHPS as both an elementary Spanish teacher and Young Fives teacher in several different schools. I have my K-8 certification in regular education and my Master's Degree from Western Michigan University. I've also had the pleasure of tutoring students of all ages as well as providing private instruction for friends and colleagues, as the need for learning a second language became a must in their daily lives.
Currently, I am assigned to Orchard View. I spend my days with students in Kindergarten - 6th grade, which is enjoyable as I journey with students through all levels of language learning. The variety of topics and different types of activities I get to teach each grade level is fun and rewarding.
Some of the proudest professional experiences I have each week involve seeing students have those "ah-ha" moments with language learning. Students are realizing that they are truly beginning to understand a second language. Not only can they understand what they are hearing, but they are beginning to read, write and speak ... even if it comes in the most basic form of communicating an idea... the sense of accomplishment and personal growth students are seeing in themselves is evident as pride bursts across their faces. Spontaneous use of phrases and expressions in Spanish can be heard throughout the classroom each day. Confidence is erupting within these students. I can't begin to sum up how amazing my students, your children, are. So I must simply say ... W-O-W! And "thank you" for entrusting your child(ren) with me each week.