Background
I grew up in River Falls, and I attended Pyle Middle School and Walt Whitman High School (Ms. Veihmeyer, our staff development teacher, was my field hockey coach!). I studied Elementary Education at the University of Vermont, and I received my Master's from Johns Hopkins. There I focused on how the brain learns math and reading, and I received a graduate certificate in Mind, Brain, and Teaching as well. I started at CSES as a third/fourth grade teacher before switching to first grade, and I was part of the grade 1 team for 5 years. While I loved teaching first grade, I always wanted to teach kindergarten (I was an intern in a K class at CSES when I was a senior at Whitman), and last year I was finally able to make my dream come true when I was moved to Kindergarten.
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Fun Facts |
I'm the oldest of five kids, and all of my siblings went to Carderock! My parents still live in River Falls, and they enjoy coming to volunteer in the classroom. I am married to Mr. McDonald who also likes to come in and volunteer when he can. When I'm not teaching, I like to go to barre class, go for a run (I've completed many 5Ks and one 1/2 marathon), read, and play with my parent's new puppy! Note: I am a Type 1 diabetic. I was diagnosed when I was five (right after I started Kindergarten), and I wear an insulin pump and a continuous glucose sensor. Each device uses a remote control monitor (they look like old cell phones), and occasionally they make noise during the day. I also monitor and record my blood sugars and insulin levels on apps on my phone and Apple watch, so you might see me glance at one of these items if you are ever volunteering in the classroom. |