Me (in a nut shell)

"Learning is finding out what we already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, and teachers." -- Richard Bach

I was born and raised in St. Clair, Michigan were I was educated by a number of excellent teachers. They taught me to believe in myself and reach for my dreams. I took these thoughts to Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan where for my freshman year, I was pre-med. The summer after my freshman year, I took a job at a summer enrichment program and fell in love with the idea of teaching: the little bursts of energy that were so curious about the world (students) and designing ways to both increase their curiosity and knowledge (curriculum).

I graduated from Cornerstone University in 2002 with a B.A. in Secondary Education with a major in Biology and a minor in English. With a scarcity of jobs in the educational field available, I spent my first few years out of college substituting in many of the fine public schools in Kent County and later as a teacher assistant at Tutor Time. It was during this period that I also began taking Graduate level classes at Michigan State University in their Graduate Life-long Learner program.

My only professional teaching experience came during the 2007-2008 school year while teaching at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick, Maryland. I taught 1 period of High School Biology (HSA), 3 periods of Earth Science, 1 period of Honors Earth Science, and 1 period of Special Education Earth Science.

Since leaving Calvert County Public Schools, I have returned to Tutor Time where I teach much younger children in a learning center setting. I am regularly involved in curriculum planning, implementing, and supplementing for children ages 20-36 months.While still seeking a job in secondary education, I am content with where I currently am.

During my down periods I enjoy reading, writing, photography, swimming, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. Traveling is also a passion of mine and I am proud to report that I have visited 24 states as well as Canada and the United Kingdom. Additionally, I volunteer at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and am active in my local church.

As a firm believer in life-long learning--something I hope I have instilled in all of my students-- I am excited to be back in the classroom.