I attended Grand View College.  I graduated in 1999, majoring in Elementary Education.  I received endorsements in the areas of Reading, Language Arts, and Early Childhood.  I am starting my 25^th year of teaching.  My first year of teaching was in Newton, Iowa.  I taught 1^st and 2^nd grade reading.   Then, I taught four years at Wallace Elementary in Des Moines.  There, I taught 4^th and 5^th grade and was also the 3^rd-5^th Literacy Leader. I graduated with my Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Viterbo University in Wisconsin during the summer of 2005.  This is my 20^th year at Pleasant Hill teaching 5^th grade.

I have a 18-year-old son, Brett and a 16-year-old daughter, Kendall.  We have a Miniature Dachshund named Sugar.  I enjoy spending time with my two children and the rest of my family, friends, and of course, Sugar!  I love watching my children play baseball and softball.  I also enjoy walking, shopping, and fishing. We all love being outside enjoying the sun!

Hello! It is hard to believe but Pleasant Hill Elementary has been my home for 26 years now! I live in Waukee, Iowa which leads to me always being asked, “Why do you make that drive every day?” and my reply is, “I love my school!” It is always a great day to be a panther!

I grew up in the small town of Denison, Iowa where I was 1 of 12 children. After high school I attended AIB (American Institute of Business) in Des Moines were I earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Office Management. I worked for 7 years as an office manager for a small sales business in Des Moines. I then decided to go back to school at Upper Iowa University in Des Moines and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I also earned endorsements in Reading and Early Childhood.

I began teaching at Pleasant Hill Elementary in 1997. During my years at Pleasant Hill I have taught a first/second grade combination class for one year, a fourth/fifth grade combination class for one year, fourth grade for ten years, kindergarten for two years, intervention groups for one year, third grade for two years, fourth grade for two years, second grade for five years, and this will be my second year teaching 5th grade!

In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, shopping, and going to movies. I also enjoy watching or attending sporting events. I am a Denver Broncos fan, Iowa State Cyclones fan, as well as a Kansas City Royals fan!