The Path I've Walked in Education

I am the oldest of 5 kids and consider my self to be a natural-born organizer. If you were to ask my sisters they might use the unsavory word "bossy", but I prefer the words: leader, organizer or coordinator. Regardless of linguistics, I put myself in charge of our childhood play-time. My activity of choice was school! Without too much surprise, guess who the teacher was.

I have had a passion for teaching, since I can remember. That role has had many different faces over the years-as a tutor, mentor, PTSA board member, Site Council member, demonstrator, manager, presenter, Sunday School teacher and best of all, Mother.

Professionally, my teaching career began at SUNY Geneseo. I fell in love with my Psychology classes and eventually declared that as my major but I never strayed far from the idea of education. I was thrilled to learn that I could major in Psychology AND get a teaching degree in Social Studies and thus set my feet on that path.

I spent a semester student teaching American History to 11^th graders and loved the experience. As graduation neared I decided to go straight onto Graduate school. I pursued a Masters in Educational Counseling for 18 months.

Life happened and I married a wonderful man who moved me west. I left Graduate School and started teaching at an Alternative High School in Provo, UT-a perfect mix of teaching AND counseling! Shortly afterwards I took a full-time job working in the Alpine SD in, what is now known as, "The Alpine Summit Program".

It was the best of times and the worst of times! Our little broken down trailer, parked by the football field at the Orem High School, housed a classroom of boys. We bore the stale name of "YIC-youth in custody Program". I was the lone teacher charged with teaching every subject to these 10^th-12^th grade boys, from bookshelves that served as the district's dump. (In other words, my most updated text book was from the 1960's.)

But I had an awesome boss, plenty of freedom and miles of difference to make in those kids' lives. We piloted programs that gave me goose bumps! We spent weekends at Cross Creek running ropes courses, confidence building and unity activities. We exposed them to cultural experiences, including the play "Camelot" in SLC. I taught a class called "life skills" in which I introduced them to "Les Miserable" via the Broadway music. It was an exciting time. I taught for three, wonderful albeit challenging years.

*Side note: A few weeks ago I visited the current Summit Program site. It was truly amazing! They have achieved a greatness that was only a vision during my time.

My second baby was born and we left UT for the great state of TX, followed quickly by a move to the beautiful NW for 12 years , where I raised my family. I returned to the classroom as the regular substitute teacher for 10 teachers at Beaver Lake Middle School. My love and passion for teaching was reignited and I fell in love with the middle school kids and that environment. I would have stayed on there but life happened again, moving us back to Rochester, NY. We lived there for two short but joyful years amongst our families. And voila, here I find myself in UT again. I was feeling a strong urge to "grow up and be something". I was ready to do something challenging, and that challenging thing took on the form of a Master's Program in Education.

I am thrilled to be back in the heart of what I love. I am passionate about learning, teaching, creativity and making a difference in kids' lives.