My Why

After graduating from college, I knew I wanted to help children. I thought about starting a career in the Juvenile Justice System, however, I suddenly changed my mind. I wanted to help children BEFORE they entered the system. I wanted to change their path, their journey. I started teaching in a large, highly disadvantaged elementary school. There, I was able to provide my students with a welcoming and supportive environment where they were educated and loved all year. Since moving to Boise, I have continued to provide my students with the same environment. I want my students to know I care about them and their future. I want my students to use their learning dispositions to be contributing citizens of the 21^st century. I want them to stay out of the “system”.

My Background

I was born and raised in a small city in Southern California. Close to the beach and mountains, it was a great place to grow up. I am the youngest of three, but have many cousins all over the country. After graduating from high school, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Chapman University. After deciding to become a teacher, I continued my education at Chapman and received my Teaching Credential with an emphasis in English Language Development. In 2004, I married my husband, Derek, and together we have one son, Cooper, and our pup, Bear.  We moved to the Treasure Valley in 2009 in hopes of providing a better life for our family. It worked! I have been a 4th grade teacher at Summerwind since 2010. We love Idaho, and I love teaching about Idaho, too!

My Interests

I am a beach bum. I love the ocean, the sand, and the palm trees! Every summer we trek 18 hours to visit family at the beach. My family loves to travel. Together, we have visited Italy, France, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. My favorite trip was to Tanzania in 2014, where we visited Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and drove across the Serengeti. We even saw the Great Migration! I enjoy camping in the Sawtooths and traveling around Idaho. When we are home, I enjoy gardening, sewing, and relaxing with my boys in our backyard.