This marks my 41st year teaching. I’ve worked with students in grades K – 5. My degrees include a BS Ed from the University of Texas with a minor in math and M Ed, also from UT, in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in remedial/diagnostic reading and special education. In addition, I have 45 hours beyond this degree in math and science education. I consider myself a professional student and love learning new things!

 Our classroom is a very busy place. I believe in hands-on/ minds-on experiences to enhance learning. We always have some project or investigation going: solving a mystery, exploring matter and energy, building models to explain what happens on earth and in space, projects in history, etc. The students are engaged in experiences that open up new language, as well as, concepts. This new learning is translated into increased problem solving skills, writing skills, reading comprehension and general understanding. They learn by doing and demonstrate this new knowledge through discussions, applications, and journal entries. 

 I love teaching both children and adults. Some evenings, weekends and in the summer, I am an active consultant teaching adults science, math, marine and environmental education courses. I am excited to be a part of the National Marine Educators Association, as well as, the Texas Marine Educators Association.  I am also a part time adjunct professor at Huston-Tillotson teaching science methods to both undergraduate education majors and alternative certification candidates.  I have also taught undergraduate science methods at Texas State  University.

 

When I am not teaching, I am busy with my husband and two daughters. Marita, my oldest daughter, has a degree in musical theater from Oklahoma CityUniversity and is living in New York City and pursuing certification in Arts Therapy. .We were excited this summer to add our new son-in-law, Scott to the family. They were married this June in Juneau, Alaska.   Kelli, also a musical theater major, graduated from WebsterUniversity in St. Louis. She just completed performing the role of Sharpay in High School Musical at the Fireside Theater and is now working and auditioning in New York. My husband and I try to see them as often as possible.  Roger, my husband, is currently an art teacher at Baranoff Elementary in South Austin. He has also taught fifth grade. We both share a passion for science, teaching, traveling, photography and the arts. We love the outdoors, especially strolling along the beach and scuba diving. 

 

I have been very lucky to be involved at the state and national level in both science and math. Last year, I served on committees that revised the state science standards (TEKS), as well as, wrote the National Ocean Science Literacy Standards and Scope and Sequence. This year I will be serving on both the National Marine Educators and Texas Marine Educators Boards. This keeps me at the forefront of what’s happening in science.  I also have a passion for the arts and serve as a board member for Zilker Theater Productions.