I am originally from the Olympia/Lacey area and graduated from North Thurston High School. I then graduated from St. Martin's College in 2001 with a degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in English. I finished my Masters Degree in 2004 in Reading/Literacy and my National Boards Certificate in Early/Middle Childhood Literacy in 2009. I taught fifth grade for 9 years and have been the LAP teacher/Instructional Building Coach for Lakes since 2011.