Meet+the+Teacher



I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in psychology/sociology. After several years of working with adults with special needs in a group home setting, I decided to pursue my teaching certification to work with students. I attended classes through Simpson College but ultimately completed my course work through Northwest.

I began my career as a special education teacher in Panora, Iowa in 1995 working with students in grades 6th through 8th. In 2007, the opportunity arose that allowed me to teach in the community of Audubon. After the adoption of our son, Blake, the chance to work in the same community where we lived was impossible to deny. Working with the middle school students in the middle school is a complete joy. No day is like another. Each bringing wonderful memories and a few challenges along the way.

The focus of special education in Iowa is to have full inclusion of students with special needs when able and appropriate. In the recent years, I have been able to co-teach in several classrooms, however, some individual students are still being served for certain academic areas in the special education room. A strong focus is placed on reading, writing, and math skills; all students I come in contact with learn to share my love of organization :-) therefore, we work on study skills and habits, also.