This is my 23rd year of teaching. I began teaching in the fall of 2000 after graduating from Northwestern College.
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in 3rd grade. I have always loved working with children but my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Navis, always had a way of making kids feel special and like they mattered no matter how hard school was for them. I wanted to be that person for my students.
I love challenging students and stretching their thinking. I love having them find their hidden potential and the satisfaction of knowing they have accomplished a task or learned something that was really hard. I love helping students understand that no one is perfect and mistakes are okay; they are the way we learn. Above all, I love helping students understand that every student can learn, and that the way we learn is different for everyone. God has given us each unique gifts and talents which should be used as we learn, grow, and explore His amazing creation!
Teaching in a Christian setting allows me to connect with the kids in a different way. I love the way God shows up in all of our lessons. Being able to use a Biblical worldview in reading, social studies, and other areas of curriculum allows students to see God’s goodness, love, and mercy in all areas of life. We are able to have great conversations about the Gospel in any subject. It is also great to be able to stop and pray with a student who is struggling or just having a rough day.
My Deep Hope is that my students will know and understand that they belong to God. He created you, formed you, redeemed you, and calls you by name. (Isaiah 43:1)