I have had the most amazing career where I was privileged to work alongside the best teacher/mentors teaching and caring for our local children. Since I was a child in fourth grade, I was intrigued by the idea of becoming a teacher. I have the gift of seeing the unseen and encouraging those who are discouraged and frustrated. I wanted to use that in the educational setting. I believe that everyone has intelligence and ability to learn, and it has been my passion to show this truth to every child I could. I led my students to believe that it was possible for them to learn and achieve. Straight out of the UC, Davis Teacher Credential Program, I was hired in a third grade classroom of the rural elementary school I attended. After 3 years, I was granted a leave of absence to pursue a career in Drug and Alcohol Prevention. I was particularly interested in the D.A.R.E. Program, so I moved to Los Angeles and began the application process with the Los Angeles Police Department. It was nearing the time of my acceptance into the Academy when the call of the schoolyard brought me back home, and I returned to my classroom as a second grade teacher. It was during this 5 year period that I earned my MS in School Counseling, paving the way for me to become our district's academic intervention specialist, formerly known as, "Title 1" Teacher. I spent the next twelve years using my counseling skills and passion for helping struggling students in one on one, small group, and classroom settings. When funding for that position ended, I was reassigned to fourth grade. A position opened after 2 years, and I volunteered for reassignment into the Kindergarten/First grade combination class, which later became a first grade assignment. I remained a first grade teacher until I retired in June, 2022. Although my assignments changed throughout my career, my passion has not faded. There are still so many students who need to be seen, known, and encouraged to find their passion for learning. I can't wait to meet them!