When I was born in Watertown, New York, my dad was in the Air Force, which ended up influencing me in two big ways.  First, I learned how to be flexible since our family moved around so much, and second, I developed a love of airplanes and flying. Although I was born in New York, I spent most of my childhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I also developed a love of baseball.

        I attended the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Houston, where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education. I was later certified in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Gifted and Talented Education. Most of my nine years as a teacher have been spent teaching 4th or 5th grade, which I LOVE. 

        Some of my favorite movies are Gladiator and The Last Samurai, as well as You've Got Mail and The Notebook. The most recent favorite movies I have seen are Bandslam and Julie and Julia.

        My favorite ways to relax are spending time with my children, decorating, and painting (landscapes and portraits). One of my favorite phrases is, "The only way you can do what you're supposed to do is to be who you're supposed to be."