About Me

Personal
I was born and raised in Northwestern Pennsylvania.  Growing up I tried my hand at a variety of activities, before finally classifying myself as a self-proclaimed "theater geek."  During my first semester at college I joined a sorority and met my future husband within two months of each other.  After a year and a half, I transferred to a school closer to home so that I wasn't travelling as much.

My husband of 5 years, Tim, is an Ironworker.  The life of an Ironworker's wife is one of constant worry.  I get to hear daily stories of people almost falling, almost losing a limb, and other general unpleasantries.  On top of that, we never know when or where Tim will be working, which makes vacation planning incredibly easy (insert sarcasm here).


Tim on one of his jobs, and he wonders why I worry.

I have a 3 year old daughter who is the best thing that has ever happened to me (sorry Tim!).  She is so smart and so full of life and is truly the one thing that keeps me going.

In my spare time (HA!, what's that?) I enjoy running.  It is my "mommy time" and is when I come up with some of my best ideas.  I have run in several 5ks, and decided to register for my first half-marathon (I may be crazy).  Even my daughter has caught the "running bug" and likes to join me during my cool downs.

I am also a huge music fan.  I have played piano since I was 3, and still play from time to time.  I always have music playing and listen to just about anything that's out there.  As Tim puts it, I'm the only person he knows who will go from Bach to Broadway to Britney Spears within a matter of an hour. 

Professional
I finished my undergraduate work in 2006, receiving a Bachelor's in Elementary and Special Education with a minor in Math.  This led to a teaching certification in Elementary Education (K-8), Special Education (K-12) and Middle Level Mathematics (7-9).

Within a month of graduating, I was offered a position at one of the elementary schools where I completed my student teaching.  As the Technology Lab Teacher I taught technology classes to grades 4-6 three days a week, and subbed the other two days.  It was less than appealing, but as a recent graduate I was excited for the job opportunity.

After only three months of working in the computer lab, I was notified of a special education position that was opening in my home school district.  I always said I wouldn't be the person who taught in the school they graduated from.  However, I knew Tim and I didn't want to move, and it was a decent school district, so I applied.  I soon found myself walking the halls with people who four years prior had been teachers of my, now I was acknowledging them as colleagues. 

This position was a long-term substitute position that involved work with special education students in grades 3 and 4.  It was a good way to get my feet wet in the world of special education, and I'll admit, that first year I was clueless!  At the end of that year, the district decided to make the position permanent, keeping me on as staff.  I worked with the 3rd and 4th graders for one more year before moving up to 5th and 6th grade.

Shortly after receiving my contract I decided it was time to get my Master's.  In 2008, I went back to school to get my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction.  I quickly realized that I had no passion in C&I and changed majors.  In 2011, I graduated with a Master's in Special Education with a concentration in Behavior Management.

Currently, I am teaching the 4th-6th grade Learning Support classes.  This is a combination of push-in/co-teaching classes and pull-out classes for students with learning disabilities, high-functioning autism, behavior disorders, and other mild disabilities.  I am also pursuing my Special Education Supervisory Certification and continually taking classes towards that.

Once I finish my Certification, my next goal is to start work toward my PhD.