Growing up with an aunt from Germany and another from Japan, I've always been fascinated with learning about other cultures.  That interest was fostered during high school in my Spanish class and the AFS Club.  I continued to study Spanish at Appalachian State University and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.  I was blessed to experience other cultures first-hand during college with trips to England, Scotland, Wales, Spain, and then later in life to Canada, and Costa Rica.  There is nothing like traveling internationally to discover one's own strengths and weaknesses. Traveling also helps us realize what we appreciate most about our own culture and what we might not like as we discover how people from other places live and view Americans.  Language study, as well as travel, helps us see what we have in common, what we don't have in common, and to appreciate and respect those similarities and differences.  

This year I've been blessed to begin a new adventure teaching multilingual students.  I serve both William Lenoir Middle School and Granite Falls Middle School.  I love it!  My background in Spanish has certainly been helpful, and I love the opportunity to practice with my students as they practice their English with me.  I'm excited to help these students develop their gift of multilingualism and realize this is a special skill which will take them places in the future. 

I have two daughters, and in 2009, I was blessed with the adoption of my son who is 15 years old.  Our family just couldn't be complete without our three dogs.     

I enjoy cooking, traveling, and seeing the wonderful gifts nature has to offer.