I live in Excelsior, MN, with my husband, Scott, and our 4 children, Jude (11), Tyler (9), Cora and Crosby (6). As a family, we spend a lot of time supporting each others interests in hockey, golf, baseball, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, music, theater, and more! My hobbies include gardening, cooking, cheering on my kids in their activities, and this year I am going to take up golf!
What do you like most about BA?
I love the small class sizes that Breakaway maintains. I feel kids learn best in small settings when instruction can be tailored to their learning styles.
Why did you get into education?
I have always enjoyed working with kids. In college, I studied Speech and Hearing Science and originally thought I wanted to be a Speech Pathologist. I volunteered at the Fraser School helping kids on the autism spectrum. I loved making personal connections with these kids and seeing them succeed in big and small ways. I realized shortly after college that I wanted to become a teacher.
Which teacher or coach had the biggest impact on your life and why?
I played basketball growing up and into high school. My 7th grade travel coach, Larry Larson, helped me see that hard work and being a team player were so important not only in sports but also in life.
What is the best advice you can give to students at BA?
Be kind to yourself and to those around you. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes! You will grow and learn from them more than your successes.
What are your credentials and teaching experience?
I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science. I went on to earn my Masters of Arts in Special Education Learning Disabilities at the University of St. Thomas. I worked in Edina Public Schools as a Special Education Teacher in the Autism Spectrum Disorders Program for three years. I then moved to Illinois where I worked in Glencoe School District as a Special Education teacher while I attended DePaul University. There I completed an Educational Leadership Program and earned my Administration License. My real passion was working with children who struggled with reading. I later became a certified Barton tutor and testing specialist and started my own company as a Dyslexia Specialist. I privately tutored and diagnosed students with dyslexia for 8 years.