Artist's Point, Grand Marais, MN

I am a mother, partner, friend, daughter, sister, social worker, dreamer, artist, reader, and teacher. I’ve “grown up” in many places, but I was a child and teen in Northfield, Minnesota where I had the luxury of waking up on summer days, getting on my bike and not coming home until dinnertime. My parents taught me to work hard, which I have happily had the opportunity to rebel against from time to time. My dear friend, Kim, has taught me the importance of slowing down; enjoying the patter of rain on a roof or the sound of my son’s breath as he naps on my lap. She also reminds me often to listen to myself. I make time daily for snuggling, knitting, and listening to music.

I am a momma to a fabulous almost six-year old, Caden, he will be starting kindergarten this year. My partner, JP and I started our lives together in Laramie, WY where we spent countless hours in the mountains. I worked on my education degree at the University of Wyoming and had student teaching experiences in very small schools…one school was out in the middle of a vast valley where all the children (K-6) spent their day in the same classroom and had time off during lambing/calving season! In my former work and school lives I studied art, managed a small used bookstore, shelved books at a library, worked for a man who imported beads, clerked and did produce at a small food co-op, spent a summer interning at a domestic abuse shelter as a family advocate, and did a stint as an apprentice to a silver smith. One of the jobs I loved - and remember with fondness - was selling the jewelry we made from a small cart on State Street in Madison, WI.

Here are three random facts about me:

1. One of the people I admire and would love to meet is Alice Paul, who devoted her life to the fight for equality for all women.

2. Though I have no musical talent, I secretly wish I was in a band - I’d play guitar and sing!

3. I once had to jump past a large rattler with a fifty pound pack on my back...my scream may still be heard as an echo in the canyon.

I am excited to join the Open School community as the first grade teacher! I look forward to working in a K-12 school with the diversity this age range can offer. I have been an educator with St. Paul Public Schools since 1999. I taught 2nd grade at Benjamin E. Mays Magnet and most recently, 5th grade at Groveland Park Elementary. Last year I was on a leave of absence from the classroom to finish my master’s in clinical social work. I spent the year completing my research on the use of art by school social workers, as well as an internship at Randolph Heights Elementary as a school social worker. I am dually licensed in elementary education and school social work. I became a teacher, and subsequently pursued school social work, because I wanted to make a difference in the world. I've figured out that spending time with children is one of the best ways I can contribute to the care of humanity. I have always learned so much from my students and their families, my experiences as an educator and social worker have made me a better human being.

Outside of the classroom I love spending time with “my boys”: we cook good food, play board games, go camping, draw, read out loud and laugh often. I am also an obsessed knitter and never go anywhere without a project. I am hoping I can start a knitting group with some of the older kids at Open. I am happy and blessed to be here and looking forward to a fabulous year!