MORE ABOUT MY STORY...
I am like many, juggling my roles: educator, wife, mother, friend, volunteer, activist, advocate, and life-long learner.
I am also different than some, living with a chronic disease. I believe in the power of words, proclaiming,
"I don't have MS; I live with MS." I welcome surprises, meet challenges, embrace adventure, dare to be different, and more. I grow and blossom into an enhanced version of myself, one day at a time-- inspiriting, influencing, and teaching others how to do the same.
Education
2015 Reiki- Level 2, Usui Shiki Ryoho
2014 Reiki- Level 1, Usui Shiki Ryoho
2014 Healing Touch- Level 2, Healing Beyond Borders
2012 Healing Touch- Level 1, Healing Beyond Borders
1999 Master of Arts, Educational Leadership, Marian University
1994 Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire
1989 Wisconsin Public Schools, graduate, Menomonee Falls High, Wisconsin
Workplace Experience
2015-present Author, Public Speaker, Teacher & Fountain of Inspiration
2012-2014 Faith Formation K-5 Coordinator, St. Albert the Great, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
1999-2011 Associate Principal, Waunakee Community Middle School, Wisconsin
2006-2010 Title III Coordinator, Waunakee Community School District, Wisconsin
2001-2009 Summer School Coordinator, Waunakee Community School District, Wisconsin
1999-2001 Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher, Prairie Elementary, Waunakee, Wisconsin
1998-1999 Dean of Students, Lake Geneva Middle School, Wisconsin
1994-1998 Public Education Spanish Teacher, Portage Junior and Senior High Schools, Wisconsin
Notables
2016 Toastmasters International Competent Communicator Award
2004 Runner-up Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year,
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
2004 Assistant Principal of the Year, Association of Wisconsin
School Administrators (AWSA)
1989 Junior Miss Menomonee Falls
Publications
2016 Just Diagnosed: The Five Keys to Living with MS from the Driver’s Seat,
Vervante, Springville, UT
2004 Awarded and Rewarded in Life, Spotlight News, Spotlighthealth.com
Media Appearances
2009 Featured in Wisconsin Public Television’s program, In Wisconsin, “Stem Cell
Research for Multiple Sclerosis,” CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT NOW.
2009 Chances are Good You Know Someone Who Has Multiple Sclerosis, The Business Journal,
Section 2, 27 November 2009
2009 Class Notes, The View, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Spring 2009
2008 Wisconsin Hosts the 2008 World Stem Cell Summit, Connection: Moving Toward a World
Free of MS, NMSS-WI Chapter, Fall 2008
2008 Local Educator Sees Hope in Stem Cell Research, The Waunakee Tribune, Vol. 92, No. 12,
25, September 2008
2008 Knowledge is Power, Teleconference, National Muliple Sclerosis Society, 18 September 2008
2006 Three Faces of MS: Waunakee Women's Stories, The Waunakee Tribune, Vol. 90, No. 41,
16 March 2006
2004 Wisconsin Women to Watch, Wisconsin Woman: Connecting Women in the Greater Madison
Area, Vol. 6, No. 4, January
2003 Assistant Principal Receives Top Award, The Waunakee Tribune, Vol. 88, No. 27, 27
November 2003
Memberships
Earned the Competent Communicator award as a member of Toastmasters International and served as Vice President of Education for Club 921878, District 35. Member of AWSA and NASSP for 14 years.
Civic/Community Involvement
I am a strong contributor to my community, volunteering in ways that maximize my skills and talents. I continue my long time volunteer efforts with the Waunakee Neighborhood Connection by leading English Group, a free literacy class for English Language Learners. I also continue to contribute my educational experience to the school district, volunteering as a small group instructional leader and tutor, and I help to locally coordinate a Spanish youth home-stay program placing students with families. Additionally, thankful for the support I have received for my personal health journey and experience, I give back by serving on the National Multiple Sclerosis scholarship committee. My family and I developed a unique holiday party tradition that we hosted for 12 years. We opened our home to 125 to 150 people, treating them to food, drink, and laughter, asking guests to bring a cash donation made payable to the charity selected for the year. The donations have been a worthy gift that our family selected, benefiting local, regional, and national charities. Supporting charities in this way has also helped my children learn the valuable lesson that when you give to others - it ends up being a gift to your own heart.
Focus Areas of Interest
Energy Medicine & Healing
Outdoor Enthusiast
Self-Care Strategies
Transformation
