I have always wanted to be a teacher.  For career day in 3rd grade, I dressed as a teacher and had a full bag of papers.  I told my teacher, Mrs. Steffan, when I became a teacher, I was going to wait until the end of the year to grade all the papers because I thought it was so fun!  The joke is on me!  I especially loved my time in high school and particularly my Social Studies classes and teachers.  It was because of Mr. Schneider and Mr. Hanke that I studied history with an emphasis in education when I went to college.

I graduated from Iowa State University (Go, Cyclones!) in 2001.  While there, I was a member of Delta Delta Delta and on the Iowa State dance team.  I made lifelong friends at Tri-Delta and being on the dance team forced me to manage my time well and landed me on the Dean's List.

My first teaching job was at Woodward Academy in Woodward, IA which is a facility for adjudicated, male juvenile delinquents.  I learned so much about classroom dynamics and struggling learners in my two years there.  I then moved on to North Polk Jr/Sr High School which is a small high school minutes from my hometown.  I taught almost every Social Studies subject while there, in addition to directing the school plays and coaching cheerleading.  I told you it was a small school!  In 2006, the State of Iowa increased the math and science requirements so the campus didn't have as many sections of Social Studies classes to offer and, being the last one hired, my job went to part time.

The first principal I ever had told me, "Texas needs teachers."  I had never set foot in TX prior to this.  Shocking, I know.  However, after receiving a call from PISD to interview over the phone while I was in Wal-Mart, I was told I had a job with them.  Within a month, I was packing and leaving behind all my friends and family to move to a place where I knew no one.  I said I'd stay for one year.  That was 16 years ago!

Though I immensely miss my family and friends, Pearland schools offer so many opportunities in addition to the family I have myself now with my 11-year-old son.  I feel grateful to be able to travel the world with the PHS Explorers Club!

If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would like to visit Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.