I started teaching in 1986 when I graduated from The Ohio State University, teaching 6th grade science.  I have taught 6, 7 and 8th graders science for 29 years, spending some of those years at Sells Middle School in Dublin, Ohio and also as a teacher/administrator in a private Montessori middle school in Columbus.  During those years I earned my masters degree in Gifted and Talented from Ashland University and developed middle school science curriculum for identified gifted students.  Arriving in New Albany in 2002, I have taught 6th, 7th and 8th graders science and social studies. I also served as the district’s Environmental Education Coordinator. While in that position, I worked closely with teachers, developing hands-on, inquiry-based lessons and research activities for students K-12.  Most of those activities took place in the school’s 83 acre nature preserve which I helped maintain during that time. My most recent position in the district was as the Easton E3 Learning Lab teacher where I worked with all students and teachers K-12 and helped them create STEM type lessons and units focusing on Energy, Engineering and the Environment. I also was able to obtain a partnership for our district with National Geographic who provided funds, explorers and resources for us. I also created the district the STEM Expedition Field Studies program.  In this program, students travel to different places around the world like Oregon, Hawaii, Colorado and South Africa where they earn HS credit in classes like robotics, archeology, science and photography. In 2021 I will be taking students to South Africa through this program. I am also a certified EF (Education First!) teacher and have taken high school students to Iceland to learn about renewable energy. Traveling with students is one of my favorite things because it is life changing for everyone involved.  

Professionally, I have earned several teaching awards, the latest being the OEEF (Ohio Environmental Education) Award for Best Practices in 2016 and I was also nominated and presented with the National Outstanding Green Educator Award in 2014.  I was also featured as an educator in both the TV show “Immense Possibilities” as well as the 2017 documentary “ Earth Seasoned…#GapYear.”

I lived and raised my children in New Albany and they graduated from New Albany High School.  My son, Andy, graduated from Capital University majoring in Music Technology with a minor in Computer Science. My daughter, Jessica, graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design, majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in illustration and photography.  I enjoy spending time with my husband. We hunt and fish together and he is one of the greatest blessings of my life. I love doing anything outdoors. As a certified Level 2 International wildlife tracker, I love tracking and trailing wildlife like lions and rhinos in South Africa, as well as traveling, camping, archery and teaching primitive survival skills to families.  Please never hesitate to call or email anytime with any questions you may have throughout the year. Stop in, I’d love to meet you!