I am a native of Alexander County where I attended Sugar Loaf Elementary School for grades K-6, East Alexander Junior High School for grades 7-9, and Alexander Central High School for grades 10-12.  After high school, I attended UNC-Asheville on a North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship where I received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Teaching Certificate for Elementary Education.  Since beginning my teaching career in 1998, I have also received National Board Certification and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University. In addition to my teaching career, I am a mother of 2. My husband is also a native of Alexander County.  Because of our background, I have a strong connection to our community and want all of my students to grow to be productive members of the community.