The 2016-2017 school year marks the start of my 15th year at Cherry Tree.  This will be my 7th year in first grade after a break to teach intermediate students for several years.  Prior to moving to Carmel, I lived and taught in Mishawaka, Indiana.  During that time I taught in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. 

I am originally from Berne, Indiana, a small town about two hours northeast of Carmel.  I'm pretty sure the population of my town growing up was smaller than Carmel High School's current enrollment!  I graduated from South Adams High School where I played volleyball, basketball, and clarinet in the band.  It was a small town, but it was a great place to grow up.

In 1999 I graduated from Bethel College with a major in elementary education.  Bethel is a small liberal arts college in Mishawaka, Indiana, about 15 minutes from Notre Dame.  While at Bethel I continued my volleyball career. My senior year our team won the NCCAA National Championship as well as competed at NAIA Nationals.  I completed my masters degree in elementary education through Ball State University in July 2006.

In the past few years I have decided to challenge myself physically by getting into running.  I have run five half marathons and five full marathons.  I am currently training for my sixth full marathon.  I never thought I'd be able to say that!  It has been challenging but also fun to prove to myself that I could accomplish more than I ever thought possible.