I began teaching in 1994. As a 25+ 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 48 horas, fall 2018 Bananas, fall 2019 Sostenible, winter 2021
I use Comprehensible Input based methods like TPRS via the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Movie Talk, Embedded Reading, Readers for learners, 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. In 2017, I received National Geographic Educator Certification.
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.
Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Higher Education, Homeschool
Science, Earth Sciences, Environment, World Language, French, Spanish, General Science, en Français