I'm excited to be your new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) specialist teacher this year! I have been a regular classroom teacher at VSES since 2016 (mostly 3rd grade) and teaching in WCPSS since 2010. My years of teaching experience has covered 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades, so I know where students are coming from and where they need to go to be personally and academically successful.

I get the honor of building and launching our STEM Lab, where we utilize our knowledge of science strands like force and motion, ecosystems, functions of living things and the human body, matter, molecular biology, Earth systems and more!  While learning about all of these amazing topics, I will also reinforce math skills, use the engineering design model and various  technology tools to dig deeper and explain what we’re learning! My goal this year is to highly engage students doing creative STEM activities, while reinforcing core subjects.

I will also begin to implement schoolwide academic vocabulary to build common language and daily usage, starting with our kindergarteners! I’ve been hard at work all summer building our lab, writing grants, and buying STEM materials. You’ll find solar robots, crystal-making kits, kits to design catapults, roller coasters, robotic dinosaurs and so much more!  I can’t wait to see you in STEM!  I will require the VERY best behavior and focus, as always, so we can learn as much as we can each week!

Personally speaking, I have a daughter, Gabriella  and I lost my son, Troy, to cancer in 2020. I have a mini-Aussie Doodle named Lucy.  She is 4 years old, about 10 pounds and a ball full of energy!  I LOVE dark chocolate, strawberries, Diet Dr. Pepper, traveling and shopping!! 

Educationally speaking, I received my Bachelor's in Elementary Education (K-6) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, my Masters Degree in Reading and Literacy from Benedictine University (K-9), and am a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Reading and Literacy Early/Middle Years; as well as a Certified Reading Specialist (K-12).  I was chosen to write STEM lesson plans for the State of North Carolina when selected to be a part of the Governor’s Teachers Network, won a TEACH/DirecTV National Math teacher award, as well as over 10 grants.  I love what I do, and I do all that I can for my students!

Will you be a STEM Star this year?  

If so, you will get special lab time rewards!

Let's go Eagle Engineers!