My husband, three children, and I are originally from the Big Snow Country in northern Wisconsin near Lake Superior. I went back to school after our children started school, and I earned an Associate in Secondary Art Education at Gogebic Community College. While there, I helped develop the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Fraternity chapter's constitution, of which I am a member. I have received a Certificate of Recognition for service to other Phi Theta Kappa members, for Outstanding Performance in Fine Arts, and tutoring eleven academic courses.

 

We moved to Milwaukee, and I transferred to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. There, I earned a double major, a BFA in Fine Arts with a teaching certificate, and a BS in History. I became a member of the Golden Key Honor Society. I taught at Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School, a K4-8 school, for 10 years. There, I designed my curriculum with integrative art projects, facilitated a public mural, served as a chairperson of the Art Department, Technology Department, and managed student Internet accounts. 

 

In 2001, I traveled to China for a month on an educational tour through the Institute of World Affairs, of which I was a member. While I was there, I collected museum books and took over 500 photographs, which I've added to my teaching resources. After returning home, I earned my MA in Visual Studies from Cardinal Stritch University. It is a 34-credit program designed for art specialists to continue work in all mediums instead of focusing on one, which was a good fit since I teach all mediums. 

 

In 2006, I earned a Master's in Instructional Technology from Cardinal Stritch University. This MEIT program is for teachers who want to integrate technology effectively into their curriculum. I transferred to Pulaski High School and taught Drawing, Art History, Printing, Painting, Sculpture, Art Foundations, Clay Design, and Image Technology (blended computer art course). I have taught there for 11 years. In 2015, I enrolled in an online graduate certificate program, E-learning and Online Teaching, at the University of Wisconsin Stout. In 2024, I completed my Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology at Liberty University online.

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My husband and I like to go camping, hiking, and riding our bicycles during the summer months. I like to go fishing on Nagawicka Lake, where I take pictures of the fish I catch and release, unless, of course, it's a nice big Walleye. I also like to cross-country ski, read, knit, crochet, quilt, bake, create art, and spoil our grandchildren.