Grade/subject at what school: Kindergarten, Monon Trail Elementary
Number of years teaching: 3
Background/schooling (college & high school): Westside High School, Omaha, Neb.; and B.A. in elementary education, University of Nebraska.
Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I have always loved working with kids. Whether it was babysitting, teaching swim lessons or coaching swim team. I have always had a love for working with kids. It wasn’t until high school that my marketing teacher, Don Gilpin, inspired me to want to teach. He made learning enjoyable. He made us all love going to class and learning the material. His lessons weren’t just lectures, he taught us life lessons, and we had a blast learning from him. There isn’t a single student that graduated with me that didn’t learn something from him. He is an outstanding teacher, and because of him, I wanted to touch the lives of children the way he did for us.
What goals do you have for your students? For my students, I want them to know that no matter what life brings them, they all are capable of their dreams. Each one of them is different and special in their own way. My goal is for them to leave my room a confident first-grader who is ready to conquer any challenge that is put in front of them.
What do you encourage parents to do at home to help their children strengthen particular skills? I encourage parents to read with their child every night. Not only does it build a foundation for their future in school, but it also provides an opportunity to allow the child and the parent to bond over a great book. Who doesn’t love when they get a book read to them? I know my favorite part of our “bed time” routine when I was young was listening to a story that was read from my mom and dad.
What is your favorite movie? “Man on Fire”
Who is your favorite musician or band? Anything country!
What’s something your students might not know about you? I have a black belt in Taekwondo.
