I had a beautiful childhood, from soccer, to dance, to church plays; I had many opportunities to grow and to experience. My teachers were caring and hardworking (which is very reflective of the town I grew up in). One of my favorite experiences was learning of the native people of northern Michigan, the Chippewa Indians. My first grade teacher created a fictitious character name Osin, who was a Chippewa who lived within a large rock on our school’s nature trail. We would go out once a week to check the secret message quiver and Osin would leave us messages about his life. Sometimes he would even leave us gifts. Learning became an exciting adventure and slowly I began to realize that I wanted to be a part of learning for the rest of my life. In jr. high I had the opportunity to tutor elementary students in reading, this helped me to realize that this was something I was skilled with and maybe something I could do for a career.
In High School I worked at our church’s summer camp. I loved being able to work side by side with other counselors and staff members toward the common goal of making camp both a fun and meaningful experience. Because of all the different activities and experiences I’ve had and done I know I will relate closely to my students, for example my high school experience began in a sports frenzy and ended in pursuing the two things I’d always been good at: music and theatre. While playing tennis, taking challenging courses, leading worship in my youth group’s praise band, I also worked three jobs. I babysat everyday after school for two elementary age girls, cleaned a hair salon, and was a hostess at Big Boy; all of which gave me exposure to various people groups and occupational options.
My university experience was the richest learning time yet. I soaked in my Spanish literature classes, excelled in general education classes, and found great joy in learning more about how I might choose to teach my own class. However, I learned the most traveling and living abroad. My first experience living in Ecuador for a month taught me about the brutal pain of poverty, taught me about diversity, and taught me about myself and my passion for both language and people. After calling Seville, Spain my home for a semester I found a new strength and maturity I did not know I was capable of having. My roommate and I traveled to Granada, Toledo, Cordoba, Ronda, and the sweet little pueblo of Aracena. I learned of the kindness that spans cultural barriers, learned that personal touch can break through a cold European shell, and I learned that my life was about to make a drastic change when my husband asked me to marry him. Coming back to the United States was an adjustment, but I realized that my experience in Spain was something that enriched who I was, that brought sensitivity and kindness to my personality. Being on the outside, helped me to understand what minority students might feel, what foreign exchange students experience. I am most excited to share my real-life cultural experiences. And the most exciting thing is that my learning has just begun and the season to share my knowledge is also beginning.
After graduating in December 2008, I substitute taught for a semester. I began subbing in Elementary, Jr. High, and High School, and leapt at the opportunity to be a long-term substitute for 8th grade English in an inner-city school. The school was in a “reconstruction” phase, and the experience proved difficult, yet I managed to connect with the students and truly enjoy learning from and teaching them.
Then, for the 2009-2010 school year, I taught Spanish I and II in a small High School in Indiana. I was thrilled to have my own classroom, to know my students, and work with a supportive group of teachers. In 2010 I saw the opportunity to move back to my beautiful home-state of Michigan and I was hired in at Lakewood Public Schools, in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For three years I taught Spanish I, II, and III (basically trimesters 1 and 2 of Spanish I at the High School) as well as a class called "Careers." I also had the chance to coach and introduce over 40 Lakewood students to tennis.
When an opening came up in the neighborhood where I live, I jumped at the opportunity to work for Grand Ledge Public Schools, where I teach both Spanish 1 and 2 at the High School level. I also am in charge of the Spanish club.
