Counseling with HEART

I've been in education for the past twenty years. - Thirteen years as a classroom teacher in grades three-eight - Three years as an ESL teacher/coordinator - Five years as an elementary school counselor

In order to better understand teaching as a profession, I believe people need to look deep within a classroom, from the inside out. Being a 'good teacher' begins with knowing students' needs and understanding the best way to address those needs. Intentional, Engaging, and Interactive are the three foundational terms used in my classroom. Utilizing these three styles of teaching allows me to reach each student exactly where they are at academically and then help to propel them forward. My goal is to help each child reach their maximum educational potential.

Teacher of the Year 2011-2012

Bachelor of Education, 1995, Northwestern State University Masters of Education, 2000, Mercer University Educational Specialist, 2010, Brenau University

I was born and raised in central Louisiana. The oldest of five children I always yearned to be a teacher and forced my siblings to play school year round. After fifteen years in the classroom, I've moved to the role of school counselor and I've never been happier. While serving as school counselor at an elementary school in northeast Texas, I frequently use children’s books as therapy to help my students heal, learn and grow. I took that passion for bibliotherapy and began writing children's book. The ideas for my books come from the students I work with on a daily basis. My goal, as an author, is to touch the hearts of children, one story at a time. I live on a 300 acre cattle ranch near the Red River with my husband, two daughters, three dogs, two horses, and one ill-tempered cat.