I graduated from fellow Coulee Conference, Westby High School in 1993. I then went on to Graduate from Viterbo University in 1997 with a degree in Art Education. In 2001, I graduated from UWL with a Masters in Education-Professional Development. I started my teaching career at Northern Hills Elementary in the fall of 1997, the following year (1998) I taught in both Onalaska (in the morning) AND West Salem Elementary (in the afternoon)! I worked with students at West Salem Elementary School for 20 years. In 2018 I crossed the street and started working at West Salem Middle School. As a proud parent of students who attended all 3 schools in the district, I know I made a great decision to live and work here and see great things happening everyday.
For me the best part of teaching is not necessarily when I am demonstrating or giving an art history lesson, although I do love that part. For me the BEST PART is when you can take a step back and watch and listen and observe all of the things that kids can do, perform, create and problem solve. This is when you know that your work has meaning and value, watching students find success putting what you have taught them into visible action.