Background

From 1981-1985, I attended UC Davis where I majored in Child Development. During this time, I worked with children at the Early Childhood Education Center and assisted local classroom teachers in kindergarten and third grade.

After graduation, I accepted my first teaching position at Valley View Elementary School in the Coachella Valley. I taught first grade while completing my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at National University in Palm Springs.

The following year I taught sixth grade at Palm Desert Middle School. I taught math, social studies, reading, English, public speaking, and coached after-school volleyball. I was asked to create an outdoor education program. I coordinated all of the sixth grade teachers; each teacher taught a particular segment of the program. The classroom coursework prepared students for outdoor camp. I organized a week-long trip for over 200 students at Camp Oongo in the San Bernardino mountains.

The following summer, I enrolled at UCSB in the MA program in Educational Administration. Upon completion of my Masters Degree, I accepted the position of summer school principal/teacher at Montecito Union. I created an enrichment program entitled "Creative Communication." We ventured out to our local TV station, a music studio, the Santa Barbara News-Press, and the courthouse.

The next fall, I accepted the position of Fifth Grade Teacher at Laguna Blanca School in Santa Barbara. Laguna Blanca is a K-12 college preparatory school. The curriculum is challenging, and there is a high level of accountability with parents. I had a wonderful couple of years. The parents were incredibly supportive, and I enjoyed small class sizes and highly motivated students.

After spending 6 memorable years at home with my children, I returned to Laguna Blanca, where I taught fourth grade for 6 years. I am currently in my sixth year of teaching fifth grade. I am enjoying a rich experience with students, parents, and colleagues. I feel privileged to be a member of the Laguna Blanca community.

 

 

...thinking in new ways about the world ...learning