Background

My Personal Background

I have had the pleasure of teaching 4th grade at Emanuel Lutheran School in Patchogue, New York for the past 7 years.  Emanuel Lutheran school is a small school serving students from Preschool to 8th grade.  I began working at this school in 2001 as a Preschool aide.  It was then that I knew I wanted to return to school to become a teacher.  After finishing my Masters in Elementary Education, I was given the position of Pre-K teacher.  I also began teaching art K-8 on a part time basis.  When the 4th grade position opened up, I was offered to move up to the "big" school.  In addition to 4th grade, I continue to teach art K-8.  This keeps me enormously busy.

The one thing I love about teaching is that there are always opportunities for me to continue learning. Whether it is from my students as we begin a new year together, or from workshops, books, blogs, or from collaborating with my colleagues, I am always learning.  At a time when the climate in the public schools is one of frustration in trying to meet unfunded and unfair demands, teaching in a private school has become a haven of innovation and exploration. 

I am currently participating in the Future Leaders Academy through the Lutheran Schools Association of New York.  I am hoping that by learning and collaborating with other Lutheran School educators, we can ignite and spread a positive change throughout the Lutheran School community and become models for other schools as well.

On a more personal note, I am a wife, mother, sister, and daughter who lives a very busy life.  As the parents of 1 Eagle Scout and soon another, my husband and I are very involved with the Boy Scouts of America.  Although the recruiting statement that volunteering only takes 1 hour a week is completely false, I wouldn't think of giving it up.  I continue to learn from this program as I watch young boys enter our troop shy and dependent on their parents and then leave as confident leaders in their community.  It is always reassuring to me that our future is in their hands.

I gain strength through my faith in God and the human spirit.