When I began my teaching career, I imagined that I would settle down in one school at one grade level and teach there for decades. However, as John Lennon noted, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” Due to moves, changing family needs, and interesting twists my educational path took, I have ended up with a career full of diverse teaching experiences. I have taught children at the primary, intermediate and junior high levels. I have taught all academics at one point or another, and I have taught both special education classes as well as regular division classes, all at various levels of integration. My twenty plus years of teaching have been full of working with children and parents of various backgrounds and at many academic levels. I have learned many things myself from these teaching experiences.

One thing I have learned is that there is beauty and purpose in every subject area. Sometimes trying to learn and teach the technical “do’s and don’t” of a subject can seem boring, but being able to put these rules to use to create a masterpiece is very satisfying. Although I recognize that grammar and writing will always be boring to some students, I strive to make it purposeful for all, so each child can write, improve, correct and complete his or her own writing with a sense of accomplishment and pride.