About Me
What inspired you to get into the field of education?
I consider myself a people person, and I always have. I find meeting new people interesting and inspiring. I also love to help others and find great joy and reward in helping others, especially if they are struggling. Teaching is a profession that allows me to take these passions and have them fuel my career. I have been an educator for over 30 years and I am very grateful to have chosen this field.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Working with students has always been the most rewarding part of this profession for me. I find the young people I work with very inspirational. Their fresh perspective and openness to new ideas drives me to continue to learn and grow as both a teacher and life-long learner.
General Background Information:
I am originally from Central NY and as a young adult moved to Charlotte, NC. I started teaching 7th grade math and science in a small town outside of Charlotte in the mid 90’s. While living in Charlotte, I met my husband. He and I have been adventuring together for over 25 years. One of our early adventures brought us to Colorado on vacation and then in 2003 we moved to Fort Collins to make it our home. We now have two great kids, both of whom went to Polaris for K-8.
Interests/Hobbies:
In my spare time I love to create pottery, get outside for a walk or hike, paddleboard, garden, read a good book, loom knit, and go see live music. Spending time with my amazing family is my greatest joy. I feel very grateful to live in this beautiful place and take advantage of the opportunities it provides our family for outdoor fun and recreation.
About My Classroom
Classes I Teach:
Algebraic Concepts, Consumer Math, Personal Financial Literacy, Discrete Math, Data Analysis and Probability, Algebra I, Algebra II, College Algebra, and College Trigonometry
Classroom Culture:
Growth Mindset is the cornerstone principle upon which my classes are built and taught. Growth mindset describes a way of viewing challenges and setbacks. People who have a growth mindset believe that even if they struggle with certain skills, their abilities aren't set in stone. They think that with work, their skills can improve over time. Our brains learn best from making and correcting mistakes, and this can feel very challenging. In my classes, I encourage students to focus on the process and critical thinking skills they are using when solving problems, rather than simply dwelling on the answers. Mathematics is actually a very creative endeavour fueled by intrigue, puzzles, spatial relationships, and patterns. In my classes, I seek to foster a learning environment that ignites curiosity and invites students to creatively explore math.