I grew up knowing I had a passion for teaching others. I set up my poster board with huge green eyes painted on the front. I shared a riveting demonstration to 10 of my freshmen collegiate peers on how to apply eye liner to change the shape and expression of you eye. My professor pulled me aside after class. He said, "You really are a natural speaker! You should consider training as a profession!" I nodded enthusiastically and replied, "Oh, I am! I am going to be a teacher!" I never doubted that teaching was my calling, I just didn't know the possibilities and where this passion could take me. As soon as I was old enough for someone to listen, I found opportunities all the time to teach whether it be during a babysitting gig or tutoring college students in the McKendree University Café. I completed my bachelors in English and Secondary Education and set off on an adventure as an English teacher.Who knew that after only 2 years as a high school teacher at an alternative school in Illinois, my passion for teaching would lead me to corporate training in Boston...well I guess my Speech 101 professor did. I couldn't see the possibilities that being an impactful trainer could afford me until I stepped out of that “teacher” mold.Being a very family-oriented person, I wanted to get back to the Midwest. For the past 14 years I have been able continue to pursue my passion of training as Senior Trainer Development Specialist at Edward Jones. I have my Practitioner Badge in Design Thinking through IBM and enjoy facilitating through Design Thinking. I currently am involved with the Association for Talent and Development (ATD), and I am responsible for organizing the Facilitator Special Interest Groups for the St. Louis Chapter. Throughout my life, volunteering has been an integral part of who I am. In fact, I earned a college scholarship for my impact in the community. I continue to look for opportunities to volunteer with my co-workers, my husband Matt, and 3 children: Finley, Riley, and Wesley. I am looking to connect with other training professionals who are passionate about facilitation and developing others. I look forward to connecting.