LearnMusically

In New Mexico, I taught 4 years as a Multi-age, 1st and 2nd grade teacher and 1 year as a Self-Contained Multiple-Disabilities Teacher. I then moved to Arizona where I taught for five years as a Special Education LBD Resource Teacher. My family moved to Kentucky where I've taught one year as an EBD teacher and 10 years as an LBD teacher. I am also an avid writer. I write poetry, lyrics, short stories and one chapter book for middle readers. I've written over 500 curriculum-related poems, songs and stories. I've created many to go with music and videos. I've included lesson ideas as well. I have used my own materials with both general education students and special education students. Important vocabulary is condensed and highlighted in the poems for additional support for vocabulary acquisition. I also am a performer and LOVE to sing, tell stories, and do read-alouds in classrooms! We have a great time!!! I have conducted school-wide, city-wide and state-wide presentations on integrating music across the curriculum. In addition, I've recently published an early reader fiction chapter book called Tiny’s Ties. I have begun book two in this series. I've also published an inspirational story in volumes 1 and 2 of 88 Ways Music Can Change Your Life. 

My philosophy is simple. I approach each day with positivity and passion! I will go that extra mile to ensure students feel nurtured emotionally and academically supported to be the best humans and students they can be.  I will model this strength for them as well.  Each day, I greet every child with a smile and encouragement for their day. I believe this is an essential part to establishing positive relationships to aid in motivation and support lifelong emotional health. I believe this is as equally important as academic skill development. Academically, I completely believe all students can achieve their goals towards their highest potential utilizing creativity, high-interest lessons, and incorporating the multiple-intelligences in order to create deeper connections in the brain for long-term understanding.

· Teacher of the year (2014-2015) · School Cheerleader Award · Energy Team Award · Educational Technology Grant Recipient  · Classroom guitar recipient from Guitars in the Classroom

I am originally from the southwest and graduated from the University of New Mexico. There I completed a dual degree in Special Education K-12 and Elementary Education K-8.  In Kentucky, I earned my masters in Reading and Writing with an Endorsement in Literacy. In addition I've also completed a Rank 1 Masters in Teacher Leadership with an Autism Cognate.

· Mentor Teacher for Georgetown College Undergrad Students · Mentor Teacher for Student Teachers · Served on site based council for four years (SBDM) · School Leadership Team · Relay for Life Team Captain (10 years; member 14 years) · Art Club Leader · After-school Tutor for ESS (Extended School Services) · Student Representative for Georgetown College Leadership Committee · Leader of Energy Team · Girl Scout Leader for three years · Mentor for Para Professionals · Creative curriculum support for teachers and school · Summer Tutoring · Drama Workshops (Summer) · Taught Summer School for three years · After school tutoring: science based multi-sensory approach (Chiles)   · Active Role: Interviewing both general education and special education teachers · Special Education Facilitator (3 years) · Member of Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) · Library night (Performed Dramatic and Interactive Read-Alouds) · Arts and Humanities Nights: (Creative Story Telling, Interactive Reading, Author and Presenter of Student Dramatic Short Plays Including Technology) ·  Fall Festival and Field Day: Make-up, Clown, Fortune Teller · Authored and performed yearly assessment songs (Create Music Videos with students to share with the school). · Support school-wide assemblies by adding authored karaoke-style student songs related to the assembly theme (Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Conservation, Valentine's Day, 100 Day Celebration, Testing Celebrations, Jump rope for heart. · I'm the costume lady! Give me a reason...I'm dressing up! · (Ask me about eating a worm?) · I've been trained in: - Whole Brain Learning, Brain Gym · Safe Crisis Management · Phonics Dance, SRA Special Education Reading program · Smartboard Training · Year Long Teacher Leader Cadre · Global Competency Training · Kagan Training · APL Behavior Training · Co-Teaching training · Barry Lane: Discover Writing · Autism Training · Computer Trainings: Success Maker, Word, Power Point, Garage Band, I Movie · Guitars in the Classroom · DRA Reading Assessment Training, Brigance Kindergarten assessment · Saxon Math Training