LaHarpe was my home until I completed first grade, and at that time I moved to Humboldt.  I graduated from Emporia State University in 1993 with a B.S. in Elementary Education.  In 2001, I earned a M.S. in Elementary Administration at Emporia State University. 

I enjoy working with children.  I began teaching in Iola at Lincoln Elementary where I taught fifth grade for two years, followed by eight years of teaching first grade.   I transferred to LaHarpe Elementary and was a Title I teacher for one year, and a second grade teacher for three years.  Most recently I taught fourth grade at Jefferson Elementary.  In addition to teaching, I was a site coordinator for Safe Base for two years and the director of the Jump Start summer school program for nine years.  Each of these experiences was rewarding and helped me grow personally and professionally. 

My family and I live in Iola.  My husband, Eric, is a maintenance test pilot for Kansas National Guard and a rural mail carrier in Bronson.  Our son, Eric, is a seventh grader at IMS, and Molly is a sophomore at I.H.S.  I have three adult children, Kyle, Kindra, and Nick (and his wife Katie), and three grandchildren.