I am excited to be at Waverly Community Unit School District 6, where I can share my expertise and experience. I am future minded and and believe in educating the whole child. I am second career educator, beginning my public education journey in my late 20s. I am committed to equitable outcomes for our students, not by accident but by design!
I earned my Doctorate in Education (Ph.D.) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Educational Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Higher Education. Prior to coming to Waverly, I served in k12 education for 20 years, as a middle school secretary, secondary teacher, and administrator. I have worked in Springfield Public Schools and Decatur Public Schools. I taught for 15 years in higher education as an both adjunct instructor in English, English as a Second Language, and Business for both Lincoln Land Community College and University of Illinois-Springfield (graduate & undergraduate levels) and an university administrator.
I am a 500 hour Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor. I have taught yoga for the past 5 years and owned a private studio for the past 3 years. My yoga certifications include the specialty of Yoga for Trauma and Crisis Intervention. My trauma yoga training and service has primarily been with the Warriors at Ease program for veterans and active duty personnel with PTSD. I am also a certified youth mindfulness instructor, PLYOGA certified, and have various specialty yoga certifications. I have practiced yoga for the past 20 years, and in my work as a educator I have brought mindfulness to my classroom, provided staff workshops, and centered my early research around work-life balance (see National presentations and publications)
I am originally from Galesburg, Illinois. I have lived all over the United States as a National Park Ranger before becoming a teacher. I have two adult children in their twenties, Zane and Logan.
Education
Ph.D. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Doctorate of Philosophy, Higher Education, May 2017
Ed.S. Western Illinois University, Education Specialist in Education Leadership, 2011
M.S. Illinois State University, Educational Administration, 2004
M.A. Western Illinois University, History, 1997
B.A. Western Illinois University, English, 1996