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This is one of the most important things any of us in the field of education needs to remember!!
Self care comes first, family comes first. Self care is a priority and a necessity, not a luxury, you can't serve your students well if you don't serve yourself first!

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Teaching/guiding the youth of today is what I was born to do... although when I was younger no one could have ever convince me that I would be doing this as my life's work! I have a passion for bringing out the best in all of my students. They are my extended family and I treat each and every one of them as if they were my own children. They are the best part of my day, each and every day!  I have attached my personal teaching philosophy... it is my belief system of teaching.

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I have bee very fortunate to have many accomplishments during my career. In 2015 I was awarded the ACTE New teacher of the year award and most recently I received the National Carl J. Schaefer Award. Once again, hard work has payed off and I am blessed and very grateful!!

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"It takes creativity to solve problems"... then why aren't we all creative geniuses?? Mind wandering? This is a great short about tapping into creativity... let your mind wander, enjoy!!

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My family is life, my world, my reason for being! I have been married to my husband Reed for 37 years and we have two amazing "children". Lindsay & Austin who are twins and are now 33 years old.
Everything I do I do for them, they are my life force and the best part of me. Here is a picture of all of us a few years ago with my beloved Bouvier de Flanders.. Zoe.

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My family background is English, Irish and German but I wasn't really raised with any of those influences. I grew up moving a lot, every four years, because my father was an executive with the Boy Scouts of America and every promotion required a move. As I look back on those experiences now I was actually very fortunate to have had those transitions in my life because I had a lot of different friends over the years with many various cultures, neighborhoods and upbringings. At the time I wasn't so happy moving all so often but now, as an adult, I clearly see how it shaped me into becoming the person I am today.
Once again... grateful!

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I have a passion for travel! I have been traveling the world with students through a program called People to People Student Ambassadors/Peace through Understanding since 2001. I have been to France, Italy, Greece, Crete, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and more! Seeing the world through the eyes of young people, and experiencing many different cultures has broadened my horizons. It has been an amazing adventure and a true gift!!
In 2015 I embarked on a culinary journey to France & Italy with two of my colleagues (fellow Culinary Arts Instructors) to France & Italy with our own students. It was an adventure I will never forget!! Grateful is the only word I have for the experiences travel has granted me!!