During my tenure as Principal at Ruskin Park PS I have been challenged, delighted, excited and inspired by the changes that have taken place. It has been my privilege to work so closely with people at all levels of the organization and my passion to improve as a leader has remained undaunted as I continue to grow in my understanding of what leadership entails through my many experiences in the state school system of education.What will I miss and remember the most? Teaching has provided me with many opportunities for creative expression with children and young people - special learning experiences such as musical performances, team coaching, camping adventures and celebrating learning break-throughs together.As I close one chapter of my career in education, I am seeking other adventures and opportunities where my skills may benefit others. As I complete my final semester of studies at the University of Melbourne from March to June 2015, I will also take some time to contemplate my options and where I may yet be of service to others in some capacity or other from 2016 onwards.

I was born in Adelaide and lived in Australia until I was almost 16 years old. My parents decided to move the family to Toronto, Ontario Canada just prior to my 16th birthday. I lived in Canada for almost 30 years and my teacher training and 25 years of teaching and also administration experience as a vice principal took place in Ontario.I was accepted to participate in an International Teaching Fellowship teacher exchange program in 2002. I exchanged with Lidia Dunn from Bendigo and she went to live in Toronto for one year while I came to Bendigo. I was assigned to Camp Hill Primary School and I ended up spending two years at this school teaching Music and performing arts - mainly directing the 'Short Circus Troupe'. These years were two of the most exciting, interesting and creative years of my teaching career. I loved my exchange experience and the chance to come home to my country of birth.At the end of 2003 I had to return to the Durham District School Board in Ontario and I resumed my role as Vice Principal at CE Broughton Public School. From the time I returned in January 2004, I had decided that I wanted to return to work and live in Australia permanently, so I applied for a Leading Teacher position and was lucky to be employed by Eaglehawk North Primary School from July, 2004.In 2006, I had been interviewed for an Assistant Principal position at Big Hill PS and I was again fortunate to be offered this position. At the end of 2006 I decided to move to Melbourne to live and work.

I was employed as an Assistant Principal by the Principal, Greg Loney and was shortly thereafter asked to become the Acting Principal while Greg Loney was seconded to the Department of Education in Melbourne. My acting role continued to October at which time Greg Loney returned to Big Hill PS and I resumed my position as Assistant Principal.I decided to move to Melbourne at the end of December, 2006 and try my luck in securing work in an Eastern Melbourne school. With the support of Greg Loney and Judy Hanke (Eastern Region), I was placed at Ruskin Park PS as an Acting Principal for term one, 2007. This position was extended to the end of term 2 and when the position was posted, I applied for the substantive position. I was fortunate to be selected to be the substantive Principal at Ruskin Park PS as of July, 2007.

My second year of teaching and the following 24 years were with the Durham District School Board. My first year was with the Osprey County Board of Education in a country school in Feversham and then I moved back to Toronto when I married.During my time with the DDSB I taught as a classroom teacher, core French teacher, Special Education teacher, Physical Education teacher and Assistant Principal. I also brought up two beautiful and talented daughters and managed to travel to many exciting places around the world.I also trained as a fitness instructor and assessor and worked part time at the University of Toronto and Variety Village. My hobbies during these years included singing lessons, cycling holidays, gym classes and running (I enjoyed 5 & 10 km runs and in also completed a half marathon in 1998), and spending time with family and friends.I also decided that I was going to become a school principal and so I undertook further study and completed my Master of Education degree.