In 2004 I earned a B.S. in Health Sciences/Biology from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. I am currently pursuing a Master's of Education from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA and will graduate this December! It has not always been easy working full-time and attending school in the evenings year round, but it has definetly been worth it.
I am just completing my third year as a high school special education teacher at The Gladys H. Oberle School, a private day school in Virginia for students who have emotional disturbances and severe learning disabilities. This year I taught three subjects; biology, earth science, and algebra 1. In addition to teaching core academics, I manage our school's recycling program and engage our students in a number of community endeavors. Once a month I take several students to a nearby church where we watch babies and toddlers while their mothers meet for brunch. Another community service project we participate in is social hour with the residents of a local nursing home. Myself and several students visit for one hour every other Monday and really enjoy that experience. When the weather is nice out, I often plan river clean-ups at the Rappahannock River and volunteer with my students to reduce the invasive species populations that grow in the Shenandoah National Park.
When I'm not teaching I enjoy being outdoors, especially at the beach or anywhere there is water! I love trying new things, learning new things, and traveling when I get the opportunity. I also have a fiesty Cairn Terrier named Benson who keeps me very busy:)
