Room 18

California Native with a flare for the abroad...

I was born and raised in Campbell, California.  I went to Chico State University for my undergraduate studies, earned my credential at the College of Notre Dame in Belmont and I am now currently working toward my Masters in Educational Administration at Santa Clara University. 
I began my teaching career in Palo Alto at Fairmeadow Elementary School in 1997.  I taught 4th and 5th grades for 3 years while I was there.  In 2000, I moved to Belgium and taught 6th grade at The International School of Brussels for 5 years.  During that time, I was able to frequently indulge in one of my greatest passions--travel...

Some of the my favorite things:

Traveling!       I don't know what I would do if someone told me that I had to retire my passport.  The picture I wouldn't mind changing, but the passport itself must stay close to me.  There is nothing like going to a place for which the only knowledge you possess is where it is located on a map.  Some of my most interesting experiences have been in places where I have personally not known anyone else to have gone...  I anticipate many more of those times in my life. 

Reading!         Currently, I am loving anything historical or historical fiction. 

Politics...         Mums the word on that subject, despite being very opinionated. 

Cooking...       I love to cook for groups and try new recipes.

Sushi...             MMmmmmmm

Gardening...   It has been many years since I have had a garden, but I do like to grow my own tomatoes and sunflowers. 

Flowers...        Hydrangea, sunflowers, gerbera daisies, tulips, poppies, etc...

Sports!              I like to watch sports, mostly in the arenas or stadiums, but more than that, I love to play them!  I was a competitive swimmer, a     basketball player and a softball player for many years.  Currently I am learning to play soccer, and began playing with the British United Football Club while I was living in Belgium.  I am not very good, but just going out to play is most of the fun anyway!

Acting?              I should probably list this, since it was something in which I was very involved while I was living abroad.  I actually starred in a few plays for the American Theatre Company, although I had never acted before.  Call it natural talent, or lack of available talent.  For what it was worth, it was a lot of fun!

Heights...          I love to see things from the top of the world.  It is like trying to put pieces of a puzzle together. 

My family, my friends and my students...  I truly believe that we all grow from each other, and the adversity that we could experience every day is made easier when people who we care about are near.