Background

I have a Bachelor of Science with a Biology Major and a Chemistry Minor from Washington State University where I graduated summa cum laude. I also have a Bachelor of Arts in Science Eduction from Eastern Washington University. Additionally, I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Chemistry. This is my 10th year teaching high school.

My work experience started early with picking strawberries for school clothes when I was 14. Prior to my first research and teaching experiences, I also worked in fast food, in a cannery canning beans and beets, at local amusement park, as a painter, at a paintbrush handle factory, doing market research, in a parole office, in HR for a security firm, at a craft store, and as an administrative assistant for an engineering firm. These experiences gave me an appreciation for all types of labor, and a desire to get a college degree. On my path to my current career I also had the opportunity to do research at Pacific Northwest National Labs, tutor in the English department at Columbia Basin College, and teach a Biology 100 Lab at Eastern Washington University.

I come from a large family, have five brothers and sisters, and lots of nieces and nephews. I have a dog, three cats, two salt water fish/coral tanks, a bunny, two rats, and canary. My husband works as a chemical engineer in the nuclear industry. He is a guest speaker in my classes every year.

Educational Philosophy

  1. Every student can learn and all efforts to learn should be treated with respect.

  2. Honesty is the best policy. I will always tell you the truth.

  3. Classrooms should operate as a team. We are in this together.

  4. Grades are not “given.” They are a reflection of student mastery of standards.

  5. This is YOUR classroom and I value your input.

Why I Teach

  1. I enjoy being around teenagers - you keep me young in spirit.

  2. I am passionate about my subject matter.

  3. I love being the catalyst for new learning.

  4. I want to be part of a movement that improves public education.

  5. I want to live in a community run by educated people!

Things I Enjoy

Things I enjoy include the beach, building and planting, birding, soap making, crafts, photography, the out-of-doors, and traveling.