Biographical Information

"I graduated from WSU with a degree in Elementary Education/Special Education in 1980 after completing my student teaching at the International School in Bangkok, Thailand. After traveling through Europe in 1981 my husband and I moved to Alaska in 1982. I taught at West Anchorage High School, Special Education Resource Room from 1982-1988. I began my career as a Vocational Coordinator helping Special Education students learn job skills and get vocational training through the Martin Luther King Career Center. Completing my Master's degree in Secondary Special Education from University of Alaska, Anchorage in 1988 was one of my long term goals. My family moved to Bellingham in 1990 and began my middle school "experience" teaching at both at Fairhaven and Shuksan Middle Schools. In 1993 I began teaching at Bellingham High School and returned to my love of teaching at the high school level."

"I am married, my husband is an architect, and we have a son and a daughter. We love sports, camping and remodeling our home. I love to dig in the dirt (garden) and am happy that we were able to adopt our dream dog two years ago. He is a rescued mastiff that loves to play with our rottweiller mix!"

"I decided to teach Special Education because I love to be able to help students achieve their dreams and help them plan for their future. As a Special Education teacher I am able to work very closely with students and their families and that is often one of the best parts of my job."

"The most rewarding reason for being a Special Education teacher is that I am able to work closely with students and see them use their strengths to be successful in life. The maturity we see between freshman and senior year always amazes me. Watching students grow into young adults, despite the challenges of adolescents is an incredible opportunity and I enjoy being a part of my student's lives."

"The most difficult aspect of being a Special Education teacher is helping students recognize their strengths and their weakness and having them see that once they get through high school they will be OK! It can be very frustrating getting through high school with a disability and not giving up on school is one of the most difficult challenges these students face. It is hard sometimes to see the positives in situations, helping students to see the positives also, but I try every day to make each day better than the last!"