A quality education is the most fundamental civil right for students.The goal of a quality education is for each student to achieve their maximum potential allowing them to make informed and intentional choices for post -secondary education and careers. Each student, all grades and ages, has unique learning and personal strengths and needs.

I have earned a B.M.E. (Bachelor of Music Education), M.Ed. (Master of Education in Education in Administration & Curriculum) and Ph.D (Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration & Curriculum). While these formal education programs have been of great value to me, professional development during my years as an educator kept me focused on research based, effective teaching practices. The most significant professional development activities for me follow. 1) Working with district teachers to assure all students were at reading grade level exiting third grade. Students must be proficient readers to succeed in all academic subjects. Students who are proficient readers are proficient writers and students who are proficient writers are proficient readers. 2) I worked with a nationally known mathematics consultant and district math teachers to design a curriculum and teaching strategies focused on all freshmen being ready for algebra I. We focused on preschool through grade 8 and a common math curriculum for all high school students. Students who read proficiently, write proficiently and do math proficiently are ready for academic success in all content areas and to make informed personal choices for higher education and careers. These students typically earn better grades, score better on standardized tests and meet or exceed benchmark scores on the ACT and SAT.

Listening to music, enjoying drama and dance and following collegiate and professional sports are among my personal interests. Traveling to visit our granddaughter, daughter and son-in-law and having them visit us are at the top of our priority list.