Blooming Beginnings

I am still loving Early Literacy in my 37th year! My previous experience includes twelve years as a Grade One Teacher and twenty-five years as a Reading Specialist for emergent readers, as well as a Literacy Coach, and a Reading Supervisor. My heart remains with the young and curious learner.

My teaching style embraces the whole child, recognizing the need to make our youngest learners feel cared for and valued along their literacy journey. I believe in building an "I can do it mindset" where mistakes and misunderstandings are used in positive ways to help the child move forward. I am a strong believer in bringing parents into the learning process, where they can build excitement for learning and interact positively, as their child progresses.

I am a two-time National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood. In 2003 I was the National Education Association's affiliate nominee for my state for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence and was given the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. for the main event.

As a high schooler, I received a full athletic scholarship to Ohio University where I completed two years of my undergraduate in Elementary Education. I transferred to the University of Rhode Island and completed my double Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and Speech communication. Then went on to obtain my Masters in Reading Education.

The best job in the world is watching a struggling reader blossom into a passionate, eager reader!