Here is some information about me. I was born and raised an Elk, attending Lakeland Elementary School, Cherryland Middle School and graduating from Elk Rapids High School in 1992. I started learning Spanish at an early age, and took classes at both CMS and ERHS.
After two and a half years of general education studies at Northwestern Michigan College, I transferred to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo in 1995. There I began my Spanish major, English minor and pursuit of my secondary teaching certificate. During my time at WMU I worked at various positions at Mi Ranchito Mexican restaurant in Oshtemo, MI. My fluency in Spanish began there. In 1999, I participated in a foreign exchange program in Querétaro, México, near Mexico City. I lived with a host family for six months, taking university classes in Spanish and teaching private classes at an English institute. That experience solidified my love for the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. I have also traveled several times to Costa Rica, where my mother has lived since 2008.
In December of 2000, I graduated from WMU with a Bachelor of the Arts Degree and a teaching certificate. Shortly after that, I taught Spanish I, II & III at Kalamazoo Central High School for a year and a half. In 2002, I had the opportunity to take over the Spanish teaching position at Elk Rapids High School, bringing my experiences of teaching in a large and culturally diverse school environment. Every time I walk the halls of ERHS, I feel privileged to be working in my alma mater with such a great group of students and colleagues!
Currently, I live in Kewadin. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, mountain biking, disc golfing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, gardening, cooking, collecting and listening to music, spending time with family and friends, and learning new things.
I have always seen myself as a student of life. I try to bring my curiosity and enthusiasm for knowledge to my students in my daily interactions with them. My goal is to foster a love for language in my students that they can take with them wherever they go. Learning languages unlocks countless possibilities for them, and I rejoice in the moments when I can help them find the keys. Please let me know if there is anything I can do better to make that happen.
After two and a half years of general education studies at Northwestern Michigan College, I transferred to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo in 1995. There I began my Spanish major, English minor and pursuit of my secondary teaching certificate. During my time at WMU I worked at various positions at Mi Ranchito Mexican restaurant in Oshtemo, MI. My fluency in Spanish began there. In 1999, I participated in a foreign exchange program in Querétaro, México, near Mexico City. I lived with a host family for six months, taking university classes in Spanish and teaching private classes at an English institute. That experience solidified my love for the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. I have also traveled several times to Costa Rica, where my mother has lived since 2008.
In December of 2000, I graduated from WMU with a Bachelor of the Arts Degree and a teaching certificate. Shortly after that, I taught Spanish I, II & III at Kalamazoo Central High School for a year and a half. In 2002, I had the opportunity to take over the Spanish teaching position at Elk Rapids High School, bringing my experiences of teaching in a large and culturally diverse school environment. Every time I walk the halls of ERHS, I feel privileged to be working in my alma mater with such a great group of students and colleagues!
Currently, I live in Kewadin. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, mountain biking, disc golfing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, gardening, cooking, collecting and listening to music, spending time with family and friends, and learning new things.
I have always seen myself as a student of life. I try to bring my curiosity and enthusiasm for knowledge to my students in my daily interactions with them. My goal is to foster a love for language in my students that they can take with them wherever they go. Learning languages unlocks countless possibilities for them, and I rejoice in the moments when I can help them find the keys. Please let me know if there is anything I can do better to make that happen.