This is my 6th year as a first-grade teacher at Summit Academy Independence. I am the English Language Arts teacher in the German Immersion Program and have the BEST German teaching partner, Frau Weser!  I have previously served as a K-5 Intensive Reading interventionist and the K-8 English Language Learner Specialist for the Julian Union Elementary School district in San Diego County. I have also taught 7th/8th grade Language Arts and 5th grade. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, San Marcos. My love of reading led me to obtain a Master of Arts in Reading with an Emphasis in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. I am a lifelong learner and began my teaching career following retirement from the grocery industry after 37 years.

My family moved to Utah five years ago from San Diego, California. I have three sons, all married with seven grandchildren, and an Old English Mastiff named Molly. Raised in California, I never thought I would ever leave. My husband Brett and I wanted to be closer to our children and grandchildren, so we sold our ranch that housed horses, chickens, and goats, packed up, and moved to Spanish Fork. We absolutely love it here. I could work closer to home, but I love where I live, and love where I work! Hobbies and interests include: gardening, exploring beautiful Utah in our side-by-side, camping, spending time with my family, and reading. I am also skilled at horseback riding, 3D printing, and baking (my latest obsession is making sourdough bread).