My family has always said that I entered the teaching profession at the age of 5 when my grandparents bought me a chalkboard, chalk, eraser, and red pens for a birthday gift. Playing school was fun, but I was always focused on becoming a teacher. I graduated high school from Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High in 1998 where I had some of the most encouraging, motivating, and inspiring teachers. I went on to graduate from Shippensburg University in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education followed by a master’s degree in 2012 from Gannon University in Curriculum & Instruction. I started my first multi-age classroom in Feb. 2003 at St. Matt’s in Tyrone where I taught for 5 years. In 2007 I began teaching reading intervention classes in grades 3-6 at Pleasant Valley Elementary. The following year I was hired to teach 6th grade at Juniata Elementary. Although I enjoyed the older students, my heart always belonged in 4th grade, and I have been here in the 4th grade classroom ever since. Teaching and learning have been the ultimate driving factors in my life; however, I can’t forget about my family, the ones I cherish and love the most. I am married to an amazing and supportive husband, Brent. I also have 2 boys, Jordan and Dylan, ages 9 and 2 respectfully. I love being a mom and watching my own children become readers, learners, and teachers. I am blessed with the opportunity to be both a mom and a teacher, two of my life long goals.