Grade/school: 4th grade, Stony Creek Elementary
Background: “I am a Hoosier girl. I grew up in Anderson and went to school at Anderson High School, home of the WigWam. Later, my family and I moved to Noblesville. I attended Indiana University and IUPUI. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked for Alpha Chi Omega fraternity and traveled quite a bit all over the U. S. to many colleges. My experiences mentoring and managing collegians in the area of leadership and financial budgets motivated me to become the teacher I am today. My first experience in the educational field was as a 6th grade science and social studies teacher at Westfield Intermediate. I was there for two years until I decided to follow my love of warm weather and beaches to Naples, Florida! I had a wonderful three years in the sunshine state teaching fifth grade, but decided to move back to my home state of Indiana in summer 2013. My search for a teaching job lead me right back to Noblesville. I accepted a position at Stony Creek Elementary, where I have been teaching fourth grade for four years now. I have two children; Max, who attends Noblesville West Middle School and Madeline, who is a Stony Creek Mustang!”
Professional accomplishments/experiences: “Being a teacher requires ongoing training and use of many skills. You never stop learning and growing! Science is a passion of mine. I am currently on the science curriculum overview committee, I am a Project Lead The Way lead teacher, on the Inquiry and PLTW committee and the Science Fair Chair at SCE. In the past year, I have received several grants. One from our PTO to start a Lego STEAM Club at Stony Creek and another from TechPoint Foundation for Youth and Guggenheim Life and Annuity to begin a Robotics Club. Recently, with help from Mrs. Evans, another fourth grade teacher at SCE, I agreed to host our first, elementary-level Robotics competition in which over 28 teams from all over the U.S. are registered to come compete.”
Why she became a teacher: “I became a teacher because I enjoy working with children and adults in the community. When I was younger, I was one of those kids that was social, talkative, always did well in school, but loved to move around, communicate and collaborate ideas and thoughts with others. I was often reprimanded about my socializing and it getting in the way of my learning. That really made school hard for me at times. I really feel like I understand, as a teacher, when and where the right time is to empower kids to move around, share ideas, explore and determine creative ways to solve problems. Because of this, I wanted to be a part of the shift in the way schools are changing to meet the needs of all our learners in the 21st century while challenging kids to be the best they can be.”
Goals for students: “My goal is for students to become inspired to be curious about various subjects/concepts and able to make connections across the curriculum that allow them to be lifelong learners.”
Advice for parents: “Take an active interest in your child’s work and how he/she is doing in school. Take time each day to show him/her you care and really listen to what he/she has to say. I learn a lot at the dinner table from my kids, even if it’s a 15-minute chat before we are out the door to practice during the weeknights!”
What makes Noblesville Schools special: “Noblesville Schools is a very special place and is a great fit for me. Noblesville provides its teachers with ongoing training in technology, best practices, curriculum development and diversity. I feel like I am supported as a teacher and encouraged to try new things in the classroom. Noblesville really cares about children and has a vision to set students up with the educational and technological tools they need to be successful now and in the future.”
Something others might not know about her: “I was born in Germany. I love country music, and I could eat queso and chips with an icy Diet Coke every day!”
