First of all, I LOVE bacon. That is no secret. I completely understand the unhealthy nature of this popular breakfast food, but I continue to suffer from a bacon addiction. That, and coffee. Mmmmmm....coffee.
I grew up in the tiny tourist town of Frankfort, a small community along the shores of Lake Michigan about halfway between Manistee and Traverse City. I played football, basketball, and baseball while at Frankfort High School, earning a few accolades in each sport. I graduated in 1998 with valedictorian honors. I coached football there for the 2001, 2002, and 2003 seasons, working various jobs while transitioning from one college to another. I started my undergraduate work at Grand Valley State University in January 2002, and graduated from GVSU in December 2006. I majored in Group Science - Biology Emphasis with an Elementary Education minor. The faculty at GVSU named me the top student in my major (3.76 GPA) and I was awarded the prestigious honor in a ceremony four months after I graduated.
In the summer of 2007, I moved to North Carolina where I taught five years of 5th grade Math and Science in a K-5 elementary school with nearly 800 students. Students under my instruction showed some of the best math proficiency rates in the county at 83%, 85%, 87%, 88%, and 89% during my five years. Science scores soared even higher into the low-90th percentile range. I still hear from my NC parents and students via Facebook and email, so it's exciting to see those kids continue to succeed in middle and high school.
I moved back to Michigan in June 2012 and accepted a position with West Branch-Rose City Schools that summer. I also coached football at Ogemaw Heights High School where I was the Junior Varsity head coach and Varsity assistant. I am a recent recipient of a Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision, earning a 4.0 GPA to finalize a nearly two-year journey that required copious amounts of typing. In August of 2015, I moved back to Frankfort to teach 3rd grade at Frankfort Elementary, the very building where I attended elementary school in the 80s and early 90s. The 2020-2021 school year marks my 14th year in education. I also coach offensive and defensive line for the Panthers varsity football team and serve as the head coach for the varsity baseball team as well.
My interests include grilling, creating magic with power tools and lumber, Notre Dame football, drinking coffee, grilling, artwork and puzzles, hanging out with my dogs (Jasper, a blue tick hound who's almost 6; Jericho and Nova, our 1-year old German Shepherds; Midas and Mojo, golden retrievers who are almost 6), bacon, grilling bacon, and checking in at home whenever possible to help out with things my mother needs. I also enjoy grilling and bacon.
Teaching is my passion, and having fun with my students is of utmost importance to me. My classroom style is unique as I break into song or dance at any given time. Learning should be fun as kids need to associate going to school with having a good time while they're there. There is most definitely a line to be drawn between learning and being squirrely, and me and my students know where that line is. Discipline is rarely an issue in my classroom because the expectations are always clear. It's quite simple: Do what you are supposed to, do your best, show good character, and everything good will fall into place.
In the summer of 2007, I moved to North Carolina where I taught five years of 5th grade Math and Science in a K-5 elementary school with nearly 800 students. Students under my instruction showed some of the best math proficiency rates in the county at 83%, 85%, 87%, 88%, and 89% during my five years. Science scores soared even higher into the low-90th percentile range. I still hear from my NC parents and students via Facebook and email, so it's exciting to see those kids continue to succeed in middle and high school.
I moved back to Michigan in June 2012 and accepted a position with West Branch-Rose City Schools that summer. I also coached football at Ogemaw Heights High School where I was the Junior Varsity head coach and Varsity assistant. I am a recent recipient of a Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision, earning a 4.0 GPA to finalize a nearly two-year journey that required copious amounts of typing. In August of 2015, I moved back to Frankfort to teach 3rd grade at Frankfort Elementary, the very building where I attended elementary school in the 80s and early 90s. The 2020-2021 school year marks my 14th year in education. I also coach offensive and defensive line for the Panthers varsity football team and serve as the head coach for the varsity baseball team as well.
My interests include grilling, creating magic with power tools and lumber, Notre Dame football, drinking coffee, grilling, artwork and puzzles, hanging out with my dogs (Jasper, a blue tick hound who's almost 6; Jericho and Nova, our 1-year old German Shepherds; Midas and Mojo, golden retrievers who are almost 6), bacon, grilling bacon, and checking in at home whenever possible to help out with things my mother needs. I also enjoy grilling and bacon.
Teaching is my passion, and having fun with my students is of utmost importance to me. My classroom style is unique as I break into song or dance at any given time. Learning should be fun as kids need to associate going to school with having a good time while they're there. There is most definitely a line to be drawn between learning and being squirrely, and me and my students know where that line is. Discipline is rarely an issue in my classroom because the expectations are always clear. It's quite simple: Do what you are supposed to, do your best, show good character, and everything good will fall into place.