I started learning German in high school. I was able to participate in and exchange my junior year and fell in love with the language and culture. After that experience, I studied German in college, spent my junior year in Munich with Wayne State University and Ludwig Maximillians Universität. After graduating with a BA in German and International Studies, I returned to Eastern Michigan University to earn my teaching certificate, which started my teaching career. I started the following fall teaching German as a special in a German Magnet elementary school in Jackson, MI. I moved up to the high school and taught upper-level English for two years before returning to German when a colleague retired. German instruction has been a part of my daily work ever since!