I teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to students who are in grades 6-12 and it is really exciting to me to witness a student who has worked so hard and finally starts understanding the language. They're eyes light up when they realize that they've understood something in English and that is a great moment for me as a teacher.
I also teach Character Education to students in grades 1-7 and do school counseling at the Elementary School and do small groups at the Middle School/High School. I love being able to teach kids what respect looks like and hopefully show them how they can learn the pro-social skills they need to be successful as adults. One of the things I love most about Wood River is that I get to meet these students when they are young and follow them through their whole educational careers. It's exciting to watch them blossom and see who they become.
I am originally from York, NE and my parents still live there. I have an older sister who lives in Omaha with her husband and baby, an older brother who just moved from Grand Island to Rock Island, Illinois (boo!) with his wife and their four kids, and a little brother who recently moved to Van Nuys, California.
I have a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a K-12 endorsement in ESL, a master's degree in special education, and I am currently working on a dual master's degree in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling.
When I'm not working or taking classes, I love to travel around the US. Flying freaks me out (thanks to a movie called "Miracle Landing" circa 1989), but I'm learning to overcome my fears so I can see new places. I also love riding my horse (though she's retired now) and spending time camping and being outdoors.