I was blessed by having a good number of truly outstanding teachers who established meaningful connections with their students and families. Their impact is still felt today. This experience catalyzed my decision while still in high school to become a teacher. I love having the opportunity to connect with youth, unravel for them the mystery of mathematics, and encourage their growth and development. I still see teaching as a calling as much as a profession.

After finishing my Masters of Mathematics degree at Missouri State University (then Southwest Missouri State University), I embarked on the journey that soon brought me to Ozark. I began by teaching junior high and high school math in Marshfield for a year, then in Springfield for six more years. During this time, I was also teaching a few college-level classes, but when my children were born, I chose to stay home full-time to raise them while teaching only part-time at the university level. I've now been a teacher for 27 years and currently teach math at Evangel and OTC.

I also enjoy my time as a private tutor for students struggling with math and for students seeking advanced math skills. I enjoy this because it gives one-on-one time, helps me as much as the student, and provides a relationship with students and parents that outlasts the student-teacher time.