[unable to attend] Mundelein, IL
Favorite Teacher(s): Mrs. Cantwell, Mr. Erikson
Favorite Quote: “Follow every rainbow till you find your dream.” – Rodgers And Hammerstein
Forty years sounds like such a long time, but the years sure went fast as I look back. June 8th, 1978 I was just seventeen and while I was excited to start a new chapter in my life, I wasn’t sure where life would take me.
• I went to UW-Whitewater and completed my BSE in Elementary Education and History in 1982.
• My first teaching job was in a small school in southeastern Wisconsin where I taught 5th – 8th grade Social Studies, coached basketball and track, and also coordinated school musicals each of the years I was there.
• I met my husband when we were both waiting tables in the summer in Lake Geneva during this time. 31 years and we are still happy together.
• After two years of teaching, I moved to Illinois where I taught in Lake Forest District 67 for nine years teaching fifth and third grade before becoming the technology coordinator for the elementary schools.
• I married William in 1987, our daughter Nicolette was born in 1989 and our son (William) Alexander was born in 1991.
• My parents passed away while I was still in my twenties and before our children were born. I haven’t been back to Oconomowoc much since then.
• In 1991 I completed my M-ED in instructional technology from National Louis University. Later I became an adjunct professor there as well.
• I tried my hand in the corporate world, serving as the director of training for a software company and helping teachers across the country integrate technology into their classrooms. While I was successful, I traveled a great deal. I returned to a school district in 1994 when our daughter was entering kindergarten.
• My next role took me to Northbrook District 28 where I worked for 23 years as a technology coach and as a fifth grade classroom teacher.
• During my teaching career in Illinois I was the Illinois Technology and Learning Teacher of the year and also received my National Board Certification in Literacy.
• I retired from Illinois in 2017 after 35 years.
• Still wanting to teach and see if I could make a difference in an urban setting, I began working in a Title I school in Kenosha where I teach third grade. It’s been an opportunity to help needy children and also better understand the challenges they face. In one short year I’ve learned a lot. It’s a bit like a mission trip without leaving the country. I plan to return for the 2018 – 2019 school year.
• We love to cook, garden, bike, boat, camp, travel and scuba dive.
• We’ve traveled to many national parks, spent a great deal of time by the ocean, with the Keys being a nearly annual adventure. We have also traveled to Europe, Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands, California Wine Country and Canada. We went to the Rosebowl in 2016 when the Hawkeyes played. (On Iowa – Go Hawks!)
• During the time our children where growing up, we coached soccer for 12 years and were involved in scouting as leaders. I coached cheerleading for the junior football league for four years as well.
My life has changed a great deal in the forty years since high school. I’ve had opportunities and experiences I couldn’t have even imagined when I walked across the stage in my purple gown. I’ve also learned to weather the storms life brings as well. Life is adventure, isn’t it?
