Welcome to my First grade classroom webpage! I received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona in 2006. I have taught 2nd grade for 1 year and 3rd grade for 5 years in Tucson before moving to the Amphitheater School District and have taught 1st grade for 4 1/2 years at Rio Vista. I am a Mom of 2 Amphi kids who enjoys gardening, fostering kittens, and keeps many exotic pets at home!

My defining moment in eduation was when I was a fourth grade student. My teacher's name was, ironically, Mr. Plank (no relation). You see, I was that student that just wanted to be finished first. It wasn't important to me if my answers were correct, as long as I was the first student to finish. After many failed assignments and tests, Mr. Plank sat me down to chat. He explained to me that speed was not important to him. He wanted me to think critically and carefully. He wanted me to solve problems accurately, and to most importantly, to take the time to enjoy what I was reading. 

I took that chat to heart and continued my education in a more thoughtful manner. I bring his sentiments into my classroom today. I teach my students that we all learn at different speeds, in different ways. And that's ok! We think, communicate, and problem solve as a family in my classroom. I think of my students as my "school kids". As a Room 10 family I value respect, a caring attitude, responsibility, and perserverance. We are a strong Rio Vista family!