Hello,

My seventh grade English teacher, Miss Hackett, inspired me to want to be a teacher. Besides developing a love of grammar in her class, I learned to love writing.  All it took was a simple, positive comment that she wrote on an essay of mine; that comment gave me confidence in myself to see the power that words can have on paper and in speech. Teaching middle school, I knew, was going to be the career for me.

This is my 26th year teaching English language arts.  Most of my years in education were in Illinois, but after moving to the Gorge four years ago, I was very fortunate to resume my teaching career at Hood River Middle School. I enjoy reading a variety of genres, including plays by William Shakespeare. Two of my favorites are Hamlet and Macbeth. One of my favorite writing assignments is having students write original poetry. 

Getting to know students is one of the wonderful highlights of teaching. No two days are ever the same; each school day is unique. Camaraderie in the classroom is so important. To learn, students need to feel safe and supported. Teaching students, nurturing students, challenging students to strive to do their very best are all things that make me happy about being a middle school teacher.

Glacier National Park is another happy place for me. My late husband and I honeymooned at Glacier National Park and climbed Grinnell Glacier.  Many family trips took us back to the park for summer hiking vacations.  Our youngest son, Logan, was named after Logan Pass, which is located along the Continental Divide in GNP and the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.