I was born and raised in Richland and graduated from Richland High School, as did my three children.  I began working at the juvenile justice center as a para-educator in 1986, and in 1994, I started working on my education degree at WSU/Tri-Cities.  After student teaching at Highland Middle School, I began teaching language arts and social studies and became the lead teacher at the juvenile center in 1997.  I received my Master of Literacy from WSU and also have a special education endorsement.  This year, along with my teaching partners, I am working on the National Board Certification which I hope to complete in 2008.