This school year [2017 - 2018] will mark my tenth as a Selwyn teacher. I came to Selwyn first as parent and feel privileged to get to spend each day in a place that has held such a big place in my heart for so many years. It's an added joy that the children and families of Selwyn are the neighbors and friends my family and I bump into when shopping, playing, dining, or walking in our lovely community
I have been teaching in CMS for eighteen plus years. After a brief assignment in the Bright Beginnings Pre-K program, I moved to first grade (14 years) and then second (3 years). I'm excited about this second year with the scholars of third grade. My career has spanned a variety of educational settings - with each teaching me a great deal about differentiating instruction, the importance of supporting character development as well as curriculum mastery, and the joy of laying a strong foundation for my students as lifelong learners.
My preparation as an educator began at Virginia Tech. Years later, I went back to complete my degree in Elementary Education at UNCC. Beyond my licensure requirements, I've pursued professional development in the areas of addressing differing learning styles, writing, curriculum integration, character education, and educational leadership. In 2010 I became a National Board Certified teacher. I am also a member of the 2011 class of the Teaching Fellows Institute and continue to serve as their Alumni Council president. I was honored to represent CMS as the system's 2014 Teacher of the Year. I spent my summer in 2015 as a TFA Kern School Leader Fellow. For the past two years I have worked to grow professionally as a fellow with the Charlotte Teacher Institute.
My childhood was spent in Lansing, Michigan and Pierre, South Dakota. Our family moved to northern Virginia (Washington D.C. metropolitan area) just prior to my senior year in high school. My parents, brother, two sisters - and all their families - remain in that area to this day. While I miss them all and hate the distance, I have been thrilled to call Charlotte my home for the past 30 plus years.
I really love what I get to do at school each day, but my biggest joy in life is my family. I am wonderfully blessed with an awesome group of folks at home. We tend to be too busy, a tad crazy, somewhat loud, and determinedly fun. My husband, Steve, is a native Charlottean and works for WCCB as a sales executive. Our son Kohl (30) lives in the Plaza-Midwood area and keeps busy working as a metal craftsman, learning everything he can about everything and enjoying being a young adult in this great city. Our daughter, Mauryn (25) lives in Kings Mountain and works as an art teacher a Kennedy Middle School here in CMS. Our youngest son, Zane (16), is a junior at Myers Park High School. He enjoys ice hockey, running, band, Panthers games with his dad, anything with his brother and sister, and books or movies with me. Our household is completed with our cat, Bella, and our King Charles Cavalier, Boone.
Away from school, when not doing my own teacher “homework” or fulfilling my duties as "Mama," I enjoy reading, lingering over casual meals and conversation with family and friends, movies, walking the dog around the neighborhood, and (theoretically, at least) naps!
I look forward to meeting you and the opportunity for us to become a part of one another's stories in the coming year!
We can't help but have a tiger-ific time when we're all together!