Welcome to Shabbona!

I am very excited to join the Shabbona team this year and would like to introduce myself and briefly convey my educational philosophy. 

First, let’s start with me personally- I have been married to my husband, Jeff, for 25 years and we have 2 adult children.  I was born in Michigan and moved to Arizona when I was in high school.  My family and I moved to Illinois in 2013 to get back to our Midwestern roots as my husband’s family lives here.  I love to travel, do projects around the house, spend time with my family, and read. 

My career in education started in Arizona where I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  I taught Jr. High (most subjects) for 5 years before moving into the Reading Specialist role at that level after receiving a Master’s in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialist endorsement from Northern Arizona University.  I was in that role for 3 years and then decided I’d like to get additional hands-on insight around how students learn to read and taught 3rd grade for 1 year.  At that time a middle/high school reading specialist position opened up at the district office and I then transitioned to that.   After 10 years in the classroom, I obtained my second Master’s degree, this time in Educational Leadership, and moved to a neighboring district with the principal who originally hired me.  I became an  assistant principal and helped open a new PreK-8 school.  After 2 years, I became the principal of that same PreK-8 building.  I enjoyed 4 years as the principal and then my family and I moved to Illinois in 2013 where I was the assistant principal and then the principal at Milford Grade School.  

Throughout my education and early career experiences I developed the philosophy that all students can learn at levels that challenge them individually.  Whether it was the conditions/environment in which they learned and/or what they learned, it was my responsibility as an educator to figure out what it took to make that happen.  I welcomed the opportunity to research and apply new strategies to my teaching in order to allow my students to continually learn at high levels; building their self esteem and celebrating the small successes along the way so that they wanted to continue that success.  As an administrator, that’s what drives me!   As a building leader I strive to support the educators I lead in that philosophy all while keeping what is best for students at the center of it all. Learning is a lifelong skill and love of learning starts with us! 

I’m looking forward to being a Tiger and working with the Shabbona team and community to fulfill this mission. If you have any questions, celebrations, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.  It is through a team approach that together we can make this happen!  We are Shabbona Tigers and the world will hear us ROAR!