Teaching
School: North Elementary School, Sycamore
Grade: 5th
Number of years teaching: 22
Farm Bureau/Ag Literacy connection: I have participated in the Summer Ag Institute through the Farm Bureau six times and every single time I have learned something new about agriculture I didn’t know before.
What is your favorite unit to teach? I love to incorporate agricultural literature, ag literacy kits, and maps into science and social studies lessons.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? My passion is teaching math. I love teaching fractions because there are so many real world connections I can bring to the classroom to help students learn and understand fractions.
Why is it important for students to learn about food and farming? It is important for students to learn about the food on their table and how their community contributes to their food.
How do you inspire your students? This year I am encouraging my students to celebrate their successes, small or big, and to learn from their mistakes. The last year and a half have been different for everyone and we all are finding a new way to learn and grow together.
Personal
Hometown: Sycamore
Family: Husband, Anthony, and three children, Landin, Griffin, and Rylin
College/Degree(s): Bachelor’s Degree in Education from NIU, and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from NIU
What did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a teacher!
Favorites
Quote: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you see, and smarter than you think.” A.A. Milne
Hobbies: Traveling and reading
Books: I love reading the book, “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen with my students every year.
Music: Country
Sports team: Chicago Cubs
TV show: “This is Us”
Travel destination: The beach
