It truly has been my pleasure teaching for over 30 years in the MMSD.

At first when my children were young, I taught homebound math for the SAM program. I'll never forget one geometry student who just soared with one-on-one instruction. Then so many young girls wanted and needed math that the SAM program hired me part time, allowing me to teach and still be home when my kids got out of school. Working one-on-one, seeing every day the growth in confidence and in academic success was phenomenal.

After about 20 years of teaching math at SAPAR, I decided a change was in order. Teaching eighth grade math in a totally inclusive classroom at Cherokee Heights MS sounded exciting. My passion has always been to help the lower-achieving students to rise up above average and become leaders in the class, and still to challenge my best math students.

This year I am happy to have a study skills class—my dream come true. Last year I loved teaching accelerated geometry once again. The diversity keeps me challenged and excited about teaching.

By providing individual help before and after school and by differentiating my curriculum, including assessments, I feel that I have done everything that I can do to shrink the achievement gap. More families are becoming involved in the schools, but we need even more family involvement and more tutors in the classroom to help struggling students.

Every day I love coming to school. Over the years I truly have been blessed with supportive principals, especially Mary Gulbrandsen and Karen Seno, who were always there for me. Discipline has not been a problem for me because my administrative team believes that teachers should be able to teach. Their support in having an Above the Line Room (detention room) makes this possible.

People ask how I keep the smile on my face with these long hours. For pleasure, for community service, and for stress relief, I play French horn in a woodwind quintet and in an orchestra. Baking, gardening, tennis, golf, and being with my family help to round out my free time.