I have been married to my husband, Dan, for 33 years. We have two sons: Caden is 24 and married. He and his wife live in Boulder, where his wife is attending law school at CU. Cayce is 23 and will graduate from CSU in December. He also works for the IT dept at CSU. They both attended Olander Elementary, and then Polaris ELS here in Poudre School District. We love Fort Collins and have been grateful to be able to raise our family here!
I have known since I was 4 years old that I wanted to be a teacher, but I got a late start at it. When my own children were preschool aged, I earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies at CSU. After graduation, I started teaching Early Childhood Special Education in Windsor, and then started my Master's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education at UNC. I taught in Windsor for 8 years, and then moved to Lopez Elementary where I teach Early Childhood Special Education.
I am proud to have received the 2017 Mayor's Award for Educator of the Year from the Fort Collins Commission on Disabilites; and the Mary Hull Special Educator Teacher Award in 2018- 2019.
My family loves to backpack camp, hike, ride the bike trails, and kayak.
I am an avid reader, reading about 50 books a year. I have even had a Little Free Library in my front yard for 9 years!
Safe, positive, and nurturing are 3 words I would use to describe my classroom. Individual needs and personalities are celebrated. While students are challenged to learn and grow, they also know that is it ok to try something and be wrong- we learn more from our mistakes than through our successes!
I look forward to working with you and your child this year!