I started teaching over 25 years ago, first as a middle school Language Arts teacher at Edgewood Middle and Bel Air Middle Schools. Currently, I am a Gifted and Talented Specialist at Prospect Mill Elementary and Swan Creek Virtual School and an adjunct faculty member at Notre Dame of Maryland University. I teach graduate-level Gifted and Talented courses for teachers seeking their Gifted and Talented Specialist certification. I am also a recent Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My son is 10 and my dog is a year old, so our home is loud and chaotic at times. My parents and one of my sisters still live in Bel Air, so we can see them often.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I love advocating for gifted children in my role as a teacher. I believe that the gifted population is the most misunderstood and underserved population in our schools- locally and nationally. I love working with smart children with unique social and emotional needs because they keep me on my toes! As a member of the State Superintendent’s Gifted and Talented Advisory Council, I love that I can advocate for gifted learners at the State level too.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My favorite restaurants are Vagabond Sandwich Company and The Local. Both serve tasty sandwiches and homemade fries, which I am a bit addicted to.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born in Havre de Grace 50 years ago and have lived in Bel Air for about 39 years.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love all things Star Wars, so Disney + has my favorite TV shows, with the Mandalorian taking top spot.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I love the quote, “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” The best parts of life are the small things.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I’m quite nostalgic when I have a milkshake from the Arctic Circle in Churchville. My grandfather and I share a birthday and when I was young, he and my grandmother would return from Florida in time for our birthday. My mom would let me take off school and my PawPaw would take me to Arctic Circle for a milkshake.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I’d meet with my favorite author Patricia Briggs at Coffee Bar, hoping for some spoilers for her upcoming novels.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
One of my favorite things about our community is Collector’s Corner on Main Street. My son and I get lost in browsing and finding new comics and graphic novels to read. It is a fun place to be.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5-10 years, I will still be working to support students and teachers.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love watching sunrises more than sunsets. Quiet mornings are magical.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Goose Feathers ice cream at Keyes Creamery. Yummy perfection!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
The children in my life inspire me to be better. There are no better cheerleaders than 7-10 year olds.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
loving, restful, silly
