I am a busy mom of two boys, one who is ten and the other who is thirteen. I currently teach full time as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher.

If I were a color I would be blue. Blue reminds me of the ocean and the sounds of waves crashing. I have been told I am extremely patient. When I think of blue, I think of calm, relaxed, quiet, consistent and patient which are all qualities I believe I possess.

If I were a car I think I would be a '79 Camaro, which happened to be my first car. The car I had needed some work and did not have air conditioning. I tend to like warmer temperatures as it makes me feel energized. It needed some work and I think of that as me continuing my education to learn and grow. This classic car also represents my taste in simple and timeless staples whether decor, recipes, clothing or children's literature.

If I were a character I guess I would be Meg Ryan from the movie, You've Got Mail. She owns a small bookstore that was her mother's and fights hard for it to stay open against a large competitor book store. I think she represents me by her quiet appearance as a book store owner but also her love for nostalgic things. I have a strong love for my family and have enjoyed teaching my children about classic books and movies that I grew up with and even passing down some generational toys.

I currently work as a paraprofessional in my district. I have a one-to-one kid that makes my day on a regular basis.

If I were a color I would be...red. Red reminds me of fire, and I feel like I have a call and fire shut up in my bones to teach and reach the kids that others do not see.

If I were a car I would be...a truck. Trucks are practical in helping and serving people, and that's what I do.

If I were a character I would be...Snoopy. Snoopy has always been a favorite, and I love that he does just about everything with his imagination.

I am the mom of two lovely little girls. They are 7- and 8-year-old true Irish twins both born in 2017. I am currently working full time as a one-on-one paraprofessional for a profoundly autistic, nonverbal, kindergartener. Next year I will be a special education teacher at the primary school that I currently work at.

If I were a color, I would be green. Green signifies the change of seasons. A new beginning for plants and life in general. This is a brand-new chapter in my life and a fairly unexpected one as my bachelor's degree is in forensic science. Special education, however, has brought a new beginning and life into my world. The color green seems to be the perfect representation of the changes in my life and the growth that this new chapter will bring.

If I were a car I would be Dodge Diesel Pickup. I am dependable and hard working. I have my quirks but once they are smoothed out, I will run forever. I take pride in being tough and up for any task. I am resilient and strong. I also enjoy all the beautiful places a 4x4 pick up can take you. I am not afraid to get a little dirty, but I can clean up quite well too.

If I were a character, I would be the mom from the cartoon Bluey. She represents the kind caring person I strive to be. Her kids are her life, but she also has a career. She adores her family. She is not perfect but together they all seem to create a beautiful life full of adventure and learning.

Current Profession:
I am a dedicated mother to my 8-year-old son and a high school physical education teacher, where I get to teach all my passions (dance, weights, integrated P.E., lifetime P.E., and many more).

Color:
If I were to choose a color, I would be green. Green embodies a deep connection to nature, something I highly value, as it evokes a sense of tranquility and renewal. Being outdoors brings me a sense of peace, and I like to think that I share those calming and welcoming qualities. The color also represents growth, which is a journey I am currently on both personally and professionally. 

Car:
If I were a car, I would be a Subaru Outback. The Outback is known for its versatility, durability, and safety—traits that resonate deeply with my personal values. I thrive on outdoor adventures, and the Outback's functionality mirrors my own focus on practicality and family. I place great importance on the well-being of my loved ones, and the Outback is a perfect reflection of that emphasis on security and quality time spent together.

Character:
If I were to embody a character, I would choose Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation. Leslie's boundless passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to her work are qualities I strive to cultivate in my own professional and personal life. Her commitment to uplifting others with kindness and encouragement is something I hold dear, as I firmly believe in the power of positive reinforcement. Leslie’s fierce independence and tireless energy inspire me to maintain a positive, proactive approach to both challenges and opportunities. Her ability to surround herself with strong, supportive individuals speaks to the importance of community and teamwork, values I try to prioritize.

If I were a color, I would be green. Green reminds me of the forests I grew up camping in and the ones that I go to now with my family. Green represents growth and balance, both of which I am working towards in this new phase in my life. The calm feeling that green brings me is something that I try to bring to those around me.

If I were a car I would be a Chevrolet Suburban. A Suburban can be used for many different things: driving people around, hauling groceries, towing trailers, heading to town, or going to the mountains. I like to help people any way I can and like to think that I can be as adaptable and useful as a Suburban.

If I were a character I would be Kate Baker from the movie Cheaper By the Dozen. Kate, played by Bonnie Hunt, is the mom of a large family who is returning to a career that she put on hold to raise her twelve children. I only have five children, but I see a lot of myself in her. She is struggling with a husband who does not want to let their oldest daughter grow up. My oldest, and only, daughter started college in the fall. Her choice to go to an out-of-state school has been difficult for her father to accept and I find myself constantly reassuring him that she is capable of taking care of herself. The remaining four boys at home are active, loud, and mischievous, similar to the Baker children in the movie. I love the energy they bring and hope that I can complete my Master of Special Education with limited pranks and destruction from my boys.

If I were a color, I would be yellow. I think of yellow as a warm and welcoming color, which are qualities I possess. I also associate it with productivity, joyfulness, and creativity, which are elements of myself that I value highly.

If I were a car I would be a Toyota 4Runner. I chose this vehicle because, like the 4Runner, I can “weather’ through many challenging or difficult situations, and as an older than average student, I like to think that much like a 4Runner I can hold my value as I age in my career.

If I were a character, I would be Jack from the Magic Tree House book series. I’m reading this series with my youngest currently and I can relate to his unassuming nature, his strong affinity for gathering as much information as possible before diving into an unknown scenario, and his willingness to step out of his comfort zone to protect the people he cares about. 

Due to health-related concerns, I am not currently engaged in professional employment. My primary focus is on completing my Master's degree in a timely manner.

If I were a color, I would be deep blue. Deep blue embodies intelligence, depth, and calmness, reflecting my thoughtful approach to processing information and delivering insightful responses. It symbolizes trust and reliability—attributes I strive to uphold as a consistent and supportive presence.

If I were a CAR, I would be a Tesla Model S. The Tesla Model S represents sleekness, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology, mirroring my operational style. It evolves and improves continuously, just as I aim to refine my responses based on new knowledge and feedback.

I would be Baymax from Big Hero 6 if I were a character. Baymax exemplifies intelligence and kindness and is always ready to assist and support others. He embodies patience and adaptability, prioritizing well-being and connection through medical aid or a simple, comforting gesture. He is a friendly, huggable figure, just like the support I aspire to provide.

I have three children ages 2, 5, and 8. We live in Boulder, in my childhood home. For now, this is my work.

If I were a color, I would be orange, like the sky at dawn and dusk. This color makes me think of a change of season, or a change of day. But it is that moment when there is a pause in between. I would like to embody that pause.

If I were a car, I would be an old diesel run on vegetable oil. I so admire an old engine that is easily fixable and can be taken apart and reassembled. I am also loud and smelly.

If I were a character, I would be Katniss from the Hunger Games. She is so adaptable, strong and brave. But not loud and smelly so I may have contradicted myself here.

I am currently working as an Emergency Certified Special Education teacher in DPS and am seeing my 3rd masters in Special Education Generalist 5-12.

The 3 C questions:

1. If I were a color I would be Teal. The color teal is a blend of blue and green. It is associated with calmness, serenity and balance. Throughout my journey and at my age I seek these 3 important parts in life. Teal gives a sense of tranquility which I hope to help inspire in my own classroom.

2. If I were a Car I would be a Nissan Rogue. I actually have a Nissan Rogue and I find them to be dependable, durable and elegant in design. This describes my personality in and out of the work environment. I am dependable in my school environment and ready to do what needs to be done for our students and durable. I am strong and put students first. I am also professional and that to me shows elegance(both in dress and form).

3. If I were a Character I would be Elsa from Disney's Frozen. Elsa is dependable, loved her family and would do what she can to protect them. She does discover her spirit becoming the protector of the forest. She is dedicated to peace and tranquility. I feel that I identify with her character and the passion we both share. My passion of course is being an educator and helping my students succeed.

I am current enrolled in the Special Education Generalist Program and in my second year! I am currently working as a Special Education Elementary teacher and have been at my school for 3 years now. I started as a teacher assistant and fell in love with our program and school that I decided to pursue my masters in Special Education. I came originally came from a criminal justice and psychology background, but I took an opportunity to work as a behavior therapist for children diagnosed with Autism, and I was inspired to learn more about teaching. I look forward to learning more about you all and your thoughts about this course! 

The 3 C's:

If I were a color, I would definitely be the color yellow without a doubt. I love everything yellow; sunshine, pineapples, lemon, sunflowers, and the list goes on. Yellow reminds me of happiness and joy, which is something I always try to emulate in my classroom. Always reminding my students to look at the brighter things in life, regardless of how hard it may seem. 

If I were a car, I would be a Volkswagen beetle. They are a fast, convenient, a little goofy, but reliable car. These cars are also small but mighty, which is how I like to think of myself. I 4'11, short and small, but I have a big personality. 

If I were a character, I would most definitely be Joy from the movie "Inside Out". She always tries to look on the bright side things and finding the joy in the littlest things. She acknowledges other emotions and validates them, rather than ignoring them. She is strong and truly cares for the well being of her kiddo. I like to thing of myself as Joy, always looking for the good, but never putting my students feelings aside. I am always listening to my students and attempting to help them through their emotions, feelings, or behaviors (good or bad).