Welcome Message
Hello and welcome to second grade! I am so excited to be teaching at Mesa Verde again this year and I absolutely love teaching second graders! I started teaching second grade at Mesa Verde in 2014. I live in Oro Valley with my husband, a fellow Amphi teacher at Ironwood Ridge High School and my youngest daughter, a student at Ironwood Ridge High School. My oldest daughter is a combat medic in the Army. I have lived in North Carolina, Japan, Hawaii, California, Kansas, and Ohio before settling down here in Arizona in 2014. I enjoy spending time with my family and our six dogs, numerous fish, hamster, lizard, and two chinchillas. I also enjoy traveling, trying new foods, reading, and learning new and exciting ways to teach students.

Defining Moment in Education
My middle school band director loved teaching music. He did everything he could to make learning fun and meaningful. He not only taught music, but many other skills his students could use in any learning environment. His passion for teaching not only inspired me to become a teacher, but also instilled a passion for learning. I hope to inspire my students to love learning as much as I do!

Core Educational Belief
I believe all students can learn and be successful. It is my job to give students the tools and support they need to achieve their highest potential and develop a love of learning.

Why Mesa Verde?
Mesa Verde has the most kind and caring teachers, students, staff, and parents around. Everyone is always willing to go out of their way to make sure that every student gets everything they need to be successful. It is an honor to be a part of the Mesa Verde Family!

Prior Experience
I began my teaching career in 1997 and I have experience teaching students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade in both traditional and nontraditional classroom settings. Some of the highlights of my experience include teaching third grade in Japan, kindergarten in Hawaii, first grade in North Carolina, second grade in Kansas, and being the assistant supervisor and academic, reading, and nature specialist for an afterschool and summer camp program in Ohio.