I am new to Eastside and excited to be working with elementary school children again.
I've been in education throughout my life and have always known that working with children is where I belong and where my heart is.
Growing up in central New York State, I spent my childhood where snow was plentiful and fun.I attended college in northern New York at SUNY Potsdam, a place so cold your nostrils stick together when you breathe.Graduating with an English major and teaching certificate, I began my career there in a special needs class and learned to use a Braille Writer.I then had the opportunity to teach fifth graders my favorite subject,Language Arts.After moving to the North Shore of Chicago, IL, I thoroughly enjoyed being an elementary school classroom teacher for six years.Returning to New York and family, I stayed home to raise my own three children and savor all the magic.The small college town of Cornell University is Ithaca, unique with three beautiful state parks and a diverse community, where it is common to see people in their native costumes and hear several languages spoken at any time.
After earning a Masters degree in school counseling, I worked as a residential school guidance counselor, for court-adjudicated boys, and fulfilled a passion to work with at-risk students. Since moving permanently to South Carolina, I have finally warmed up and could not live again in New York with its all too frequent cloudy skies. I worked in District 56 as a guidance counselor for nine years at the high school and was fortunate to have the opportunity to teach a ninth grade Language Arts class. last year split between middle school and the academy. This year I am back to elementary school, but in a guidance role now, with many familiarities and new challenges. It doesn't seem to matter what age group I'm with because its children I love to help. They come in all ages and sizes, with all backgrounds, needs, and abilities, which always keeps it interesting. Best of all is that I have the privilege of using my talents and skills to do something rewarding and fulfilling, hopefully making a positive difference in the lives of children and families. I have the joy of knowing what I'm doing is exactly what I was made for and I cannot imagine doing anything else.
