Dear Kindergarten Families,
  
     I have been fortunate enough to have spent my entire teaching career here at Norris Elementary. I taught second grade for 16 years.  I absolutely loved everything about teaching second grade.  However, I feel change is good so when Norris moved to all day everyday kindergarten in the fall of 2002, I was thrilled to join the kindergarten team.  It is very different but I find it a  nice fit.  Where else can you have twenty plus students refer to you as everything from "Mom" to "Mr. Teacher"?
     I received my bachelors degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1985 and my Master's Degree in 1990.  I have continued to take classes, attend and teach workshops, and read lots of resources on effective teaching practices.  I am very motivated to do my best for kids.
    Norris has often been referred to as "One of the best schools in the state",  I just know it is a fantastic place to work!  I enjoy the teaching community here. We try our best to support and encourage one another.  Everyone is here because they love what they do and they love kids! 
      My husband David is an attorney with Baylor Evnen Law Firm . He is active in our church and with the Norris Foundation. He has been a wonderful volunteer coach in many of our children's activities. We have four beautiful children.  Our oldest son Jacob participated in R.O.T.C. in college and  graduated from U.N.L. with a secondary teaching degree. He completed his first tour in Afghanistan in April 2009  He and his lovely wife Karlene (married June, 2008) moved to Oklahoma for Captain's training. In addition,  I am wearing a new hat, one as "grandma"  or "Gammie". Baby  Norah was born in February!!!!! We are very happy for them  (and us)!   Our daughter Jordan has spent over a year in South America.  She has a Spanish major and wanted to "immerse" herself in the culture.  I miss her greatly!!!!! Our son Cameron is a junior at U.N.L.  He is a member of the Farmhouse fraternity and more then thrilled to be a "true " Husker !  Our youngest son Connor is a senior here at Norris.   He enjoys participating in  several sports, student council, and is a member of the Gold show choir.  Norris facilitates so many extra curricular activities . Each child can find what "fits" him or her best.  We have hosted two foreign exchange students that are very much a part of our family.  Karen, from Ecuador, now lives in New Jersey and  Bernardo, from Italy both graduated from Norris. 

Lastly, I have had our dog Issabella (a golden doodle) in training for over a year. Valerie Fossberg, a resource teacher, also trained with Izzy and me to be certified under the Domestic-Pups as an Edu-pup.  There are large quantities of research with regard to the benefits of having a service dog in school.  At this time, Izzy will not be a member of our classroom. I will share more about her later.  
    My hobbies include my children.  My school children during the day and my own children in the evenings. We enjoy being very busy parents as we travel to our children's many activities. When not attending these events I enjoy reading, going on walks with my dog Izzy, participating in strength training, yoga, and traveling to far off places by car, plane, or through a delicious book.