I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.  I spent my first two years of college at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.  I then transferred to Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota where I graduated magna cum laude in history and education. 

My first teaching job was in first grade in St James, MN.  I also taught various grades in both Mountain Lake and Winona, MN.  I have taught sixth grade at Loyola Catholic School for the past ten years.

I am the faculty advisor to the Kiwanis Builders Club, a grade 6-8 group fostering character building through service to others.

I’ve been married to my husband, Preston, for 33 years.  He was ordained a deacon in the Catholic church in August 2009 after six years of preparation.  We are blessed with  three wonderful children and a new grandbaby.