Teaching Experience & Credentials

I graduated from University of South Alabama in 1998 with a degree in Elementary Education, with special certification in Early Childhood Education. I began my teaching career that same year in the Biloxi City Public Schools. I taught as third grade reading resource teacher at Popps Ferry Elementary for six weeks before being asked to take over a self-contained 3rd grade class at Jeff Davis Elementary. I remained in third grade for four years before moving up to a fifth grade self-contained class. For the last eight years, I have taught fifth grade Language Arts, which I thoroughly loved. I feel I have found my niche as a language teacher. This August will begin my fourteenth year as a teacher at Jeff Davis and first year in second grade. I am very excited to take this new adventure with you!

Teaching Philosophy

I feel that students learn best when they are given high, but achievable, expectations and held to them. Students need many hands-on opportunities to practice and apply what they are learning. Using as many senses as possible in the learning process enables students to learn faster and retain that knowledge better. Students need the opportunity to express themselves creatively. Discipline must be firm, consistent, and fair for both the safety and learning of everyone. Teaching students a strong work ethic, moral character, and responsibility that they can take into their adult lives are every bit as important, if not more important, than insuring their academic success.

Personal Facts

In addition to being dedicated to my job as a teacher, I am also a wife, mother, and very active in my local church. I have two daughters: 9-year-old Ame and 6-year-old Faith. My husband David and I have been married for thriteen years. I write for the drama ministry, assist the children's ministry, co-lead a sign language ministry, and occasionally present teachings and lead Bible studies.  When teaching, parenting, and church activities aren't keeping me busy, I enjoy reading, writing poetry and drama skits, crocheting, and cake decorating.