Education

• University of South Alabama, Mobile, Al
• M.A. Edu in Reading

• University of South Alabama, Mobile, Al
• B.S. Edu Major in Language Arts and Social Studies

Additional Training

• IC3 Certified
• Technology Integration-Language Arts
• Technology Support Team Training
• Teaching Web Quests Course
• Internet for PowerPoint Presentation In-service
• Reading Renaissance/Accelerated Reader Training
• Multimedia Technology and Internet Training

Employment History

• Technology / Computer Assisted Instruction & Collaboration:   8/2006 - Present
• Sixth-Grade Language Arts:  Present Phillips Preparatory School:  8/2004 - 6/2006
• Fourth-Grade Self-contained and Reading/Language Eichold-Mertz:  8/2001 - 8/2004
• Ninth-Eleventh Language Arts and Reading Citronelle High School:  8/1996 - 2/2001
• Sixth-Seventh Grade Language Arts and Reading Mobile Training School:  8/1989 - 8/1996

Where I've Been

I was born in Citronelle, Alabama, but I grew up in McIntosh, Alabama.  I attended college at the University of South Alabama where I earned a degree in secondary education in 1989.  After a five-year hiatus from the student side of education, I again made the University of South Alabama my home to receive a masters degree in reading education, which I finished in 1996.  I have taught in the Mobile County Public School system for the past 19 years.

One of the most interesting experiences that I have had was with the United States Naval Reserve.  It provided opportunities for travel and interaction that I otherwise would have never experienced.  This venture provided organizational, independence, and technical skills that have been of benefit to me throughout my entire life.  I spent six and a half years in service, had many interesting experiences, and have memories and self-sufficiency skills that will last a lifetime.

My Life as an Educator

I began my career at Mobile County Training School teaching 6^th and 7^th grade language arts.  After seven years, I went to Citronelle High School for five years and taught 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th grade regular and advanced language arts.  I then taught 4^th grade reading at Eichold-Mertz Elementary School for three years. I am presently at Phillips Preparatory School.  I taught 6^th grade language arts and reading for two years, but for the past two years I have had the privilege of serving the faculty, staff, and students in the capacity of Technology / Computer Assisted Instruction & Collaboration Teacher.  This has merged my passion for teaching and technology, and I  can truly say that I love going to work every day!!!  Life just doesn't get any better!

When I'm Not Working

When I'm not working I spend most of my time with my husband and two daughters.  We love to be outside.  We try to go to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, at least every couple of years, but my husband is a hunter and has a family membership at a hunting club three hours from our home.  We spend most weekends from October to January at the camp (even my sixth anniversary!).  I love to read when I can and make it a point to watch the American Idol series when it is on.  Another hobby that my family and I participate in is Taekwondo.  We belong to the Taekwondo America organization and spend a great deal of time in class at North Mobile Taekwondo where we have found another extended family in addition to our other spiritual family at WFI Empower Ministries.  I enjoy a yearly "ME" retreat to the mountains to snow ski (ski, not snowboard - not quite that adventurous!).  I have recently started this tradition (the "ME" ski trip) and resumed this sport.  Though I miss my lovely family, I do love the rejuvination that it provides!