I grew up on a farm near Estelline, SD.  
I am the youngest of
 6 children.  I attended 
Elementary and High School 
in Estelline.  

I attended SDSU and DSU.  I received a degree in Early Childhood Development from SDSU and an Elementary Education endorsement from DSU.

I began teaching at Medary Elementary 
in Brookings, SD in 1985. I taught  
2nd grade until the fall of 2008 when I began teaching Reading Recovery and Title I Reading.

In 2001-2003, I took a 2 year leave from the classroom to work as a literacy coach for AREA reading.  I had extensive training in balanced literacy and had the privilege of working with many educators in 
South Dakota.

I am married to Mark and 
we have two children, 
Nick and Shaunda.  Nick is a senior at SDSU. 
Shaunda is a sophomore at Mankato State. 

In my additional time, I love to spend time with my family and friends, exercise, read & travel.