Throughout my life I was destined to become a teacher. However, it took me a while to recognize my talents. While studying Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering for several years at the University of Kansas, I chose to focus on history and education. I decided to try an introductory course in education. It was an eye- opening experience. During this course, I realized I had a natural talent for working with young people because I thrived on their energy and enthusiasm. Working with students is inspiring! I love sharing and growing with the students in a classroom setting. I have worked in many different jobs and educational situations, but nothing has ever felt as amazing as teaching. Teaching is in my heart and soul.

During the University of Kansas five-year education program, I earned a Bachelors of Science in Education for Comprehensive Social Studies Grades 5-12 through The University of Kansas. I immediately pursued and completed my Masters of Science in Education for Curriculum and Instruction. I’m currently pursuing my doctorate in instructional technologies.

Pursuing a job at the middle school level led me to an 8th-9th grade social studies position at De Soto Junior High in 1994 where I also coached 7th grade volleyball, basketball, track and the math team. In my 17 years with the De Soto School District I have thoroughly enjoyed the district, students, parents, fellow educators and the classes I have taught. My job is to teach, but my passion is setting students’ minds ablaze with a love of creative learning and the power of knowledge. For me, there is no other educational level that holds as much potential for personal and intellectual growth as the middle school.

During my career I have found additional outlets for my love of teaching. I currently teach an archeology class at Johnson County Community College within the Summer Talents Program. In addition I also "team-teach" a History of Nursing Course at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. I use Museum Artifacts to explain history, while we examine nursing in the same time periods, I teach a Teacher Re-certification Class for Mid America Nazarene University. This course is specifically designed to share some of the successes my students have found with hands- on Learning Techniques. Sharing our Classroom Museum is something I feel very motivated and driven to do through professional conferences, the Museum’s web page and loaning artifacts to other teachers. Yet, I am the proudest of my students’ academic achievements.

The evolution of our hands-on Classroom Museum has led to the development of an artifact collection with approximately 20,000 items. In 2003, I was asked to design a New Exploratory Course based entirely on the “Museum Concept” called Museum Connections. This course allowed me to reach and teach almost every student in our building, grades 6-8.

This past summer I was asked to design an Honors Archeology course for both high schools. I will be creating a simulated dig inside my building each afternoon while continuing to teach The Museum Connections classes each morning.

I was honored as the Kansas Teacher of The Year in 2004. I continue to work within my community to expand the teaching artifact collection and enhance The Museum Connections classes. My travels throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada, have allowed me to accumulate various collections: rocks, coins, maps, antique marbles, glass and artifacts which I use to teach students every day. These artifacts are used to make history come alive for my students.