I've loved teaching students with special needs for 30 years, with 25 of those years being at Cordley Elementary. I also teach students, who are English Language Learners. Working with my students, who continue learning English, has made me a far better teacher! I hope they learn as much from me as I do from them.

I am one of the school district's Mandt trainers. This is a training system for helping staff to support students who use their behavior to get their needs met. I have a knack for being able to work well with these students and to help them be successful at school. This is the most challenging but perhaps the most satisfying part of my job. 

I also really enjoy teaching kids, who need a more "functional" curriculum that will prepare them to be as independent as possible in the future. This was my first love, in my life as a special educator. I've loved returning to my roots the past two summers, as an upper elementary and middle school teacher for students at that functional level and who may have multiple disabiities. I love taking trips into the community and working on real-life skills, such as cooking and social skills.

I've been privileged to work with students from 2nd grade through middle school; students with autism; students with significant emotional and behavioral needs, communication needs, and with all kinds of learning needs. I love visits from my students, as they move on to middle school. Some continue to visit even after that and on into adulthood! What a gift for a teacher, to be able to know I've made that kind of a difference in the lives of my kids, that they would take their time to come see me, once they've moved on, beyond elementary school. 

Kids are my favorite kind of people!