I wanted to be a teacher as a small child.  However, I did not take a direct route to reach my goal.  Before going to college, I started a family (I have 2 grown sons and a granddaughter), was an owner of several types of  retail businesses, and lived and worked a farm in Northwestern Montana. 

Finally in 1979 I came to Seattle with my sons to attend school.  I graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Social Work and a Master’s in Developmental Reading. I have taught in Monroe, Shoreline School District and Seattle School District. So, I reached one of my life goals and have since moved on to others. My last personal goal was completing the Danskin Sprint Triathalon and other races.  I am still working on this goal, Ann Feldman and I are entering the Seattle Half-Marathon walk this year.  My new goal is taking longer, I am learning to paint watercolor landscapes. 

My Motivators

My primary motivation is to help students acquire all the intellectual and social tools that will enable them to reach any goals they have.  I focus on reading and writing because I believe they are essential building blocks to all other academic skills.