I was born and raised near Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Bowling Green State univeristy. I graduated in 2016 with an Early Childhood Education teaching license, a Special Education teaching license, a Birth to Age 2 teaching license, and a 4^th and 5^th grade reading and math endorsement. After graduating from Bowling Green State University I decided to move out to Kansas to spend more time with my husband. My husband and I have 2 children and 2 standard poodles, Paul and Molly. I started my teaching career at Edwardsville Elementary as a 1^st grade teacher.  In 2020 I began teaching in the DeSoto school district as a Special Education Resource Teacher.  I truly love teaching 1^st grade and really enjoy seeing just how much each child  grows throughout the year.   

This is my 11th year of teaching first grade and my 22nd year of teaching overall.  I graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth a LONG time ago.  I am originally from Minnesota, but I have lived in several states throughout the Midwest.   My husband, John, and I moved here to Shawnee 18 years ago and have 3 grown children.  Luke is a mechanical engineer for Kiewit in Minneapolis.  Claire is an RN in the Progressive ICU at Research Medical Center. Our youngest, Grant, graduated from Kansas State in May and will be training to be a pilot in the Air Force when he leaves in September.  We also have a sweet Maltipoo we rescued named Emmie. Your kiddos will quickly learn I am a HUGE fan of two teams: the St. Louis Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers.  Please don’t hold it against me! J I cheer for the Royals and Chiefs, too! 

I received my bachelor's degree in elementary education in December of 2000 from Mid America Nazarene University (MNU). In May of 2005, I received my master's degree from there as well. De Soto School District has been my home since the beginning of my career in August of 2001. 

I started my teaching career at Clear Creek Elementary teaching fifth grade. I then moved down to first grade, my second year of teaching at Clear Creek and have been teaching first ever since. I have been at Horizon since it opened in 2007.  I have truly found my passion in life teaching first grade!