Degrees:

Johnson University MA Teaching 2011 

Southern Illinois University BS Outdoor Recreation 1986

My first position at Pi Beta Phi in 2006 was assisting the super teacher Mrs. Ditmanson for four and a half years. I became a certified teacher in 2011 and began teaching at PBP in 2012. I have been a 5th Grade Science and Social Studies teacher, but most of my time has been spent helping students succeed with Intervention and Special Education.

Teaching is my second career! With my Outdoor Recreation degree, I moved from Illinois in 1986 to work in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Next I worked as a teacher/naturalist at Tremont and as a Park Ranger in Cades Cove for six years.

My husband Jim (who has been a scientist in the Park since 1984) and I have raised three PBP Mountaineers/ GP Highlanders, all of whom love to work and play in the mountains.

My favorite activities are hiking and backpacking, and I have hiked ALL the trails on the map in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!