I began teaching in 1994. As a 20+ year teacher, I am even more excited about what is happening in my classroom than I was in the early years! I student taught in Springfield, IL at Lanphier High School and began my career in a small rural district in southern IL. I love my rural students and the opportunity I have to bring them the world through study of language and culture. I am the author of four novels available through www.fluencymatters.com: La hija del sastre, 2011 with Carol Gaab La Calaca Alegre, 2013 Bianca Nieves y los 7 toritos, 2014 Vector, fall 2016

I use Comprehensible Input based methods like TPRS via culture and social justice, Movie Talk, Embedded Reading, Novel Reading, Film Study, and more!

In 2006, I received National Board Certification in World Languages other than English, renewed in 2015. In 2011, I was named an Illinois Principal's Association Innovative Educator. In 2013, I was named the Illinois Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year. In 2014, I was named the Central States conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year and represented CSCTFL as a finalist for the ACTFL National Teacher of the Year! In 2016, I renewed my NBCT and look forward to the next 10 years mentoring teachers.

I earned my Bachelor's in December of 1993 from Western IL University and my Master's in December of 2011 from Southern IL University Edwardsville.

I have 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and only 1 husband! :) I talk about birds way too much and I love designing classroom materials.