ConnectionPlaybook

Hallo hallo hallo! I've just transitioned from teaching in the classroom (K - 8, general education and GATE) to my big dream... my north star. You know when teachers and students aren't able to bring their best selves to the table because life just gets overwhelming and interferes with our balance and ability to do it all? Well, I am earning my doctorate in Community Care and Counseling so I can support those who can benefit from pursuing their goals of connection- connection through reading, connection through writing, and connection through building support systems and interpersonal relationships. They all go hand-in-hand, which I've learned through publishing a print magazine geared towards guiding 3rd - 8th graders towards academic and social success. My spare time is often occupied with lots of volunteer work serving my community and serves as my foundation. I had a frontpage feature article written about my teaching and philanthropy in my county newspaper, as well as TV, radio and internet spots on my unique homeless ministry. I am currently a certified life coach and relate to the struggle of teachers trying to strengthen home connections for themselves and their students, I also have consistently had a pretty good amount of success (documented with a wide range of school-delivered and personal tests and data over many years) with my approach to teaching reading with those students who are struggling as well as those who are looking to move even farther ahead and get the edge.

While I enjoy reading research and best practices and look for ways to get lessons across in an engaging and effective way, there is no substitute for filling our delivery with love. While that can't be bottled, I know that vibe comes across when the creator of the products you use has a love-first approach to their business. I have high and realistic expectations, and a deep respect for the different value systems of my students. This core belief is evident in my content, and results in awareness and gratitude for the great potential we help reveal when we encourage, inspire and lead with loving others as our top priority.

• Frontpage feature article about teaching and philanthropy Madera Tribune county newspaper • Soroptomist Club Delegate- working to help girls and women with economic and educational empowerment • Oak Creek Intermediate Parent Teacher Club President • Lead teacher and founder of Oak Creek Intermediate’s Chess Club • Music Boosters President Yosemite High School • Current Board Member Madera County Board of Mental Health • Founded Unique Homeless Ministry bringing law-abiding people experiencing homelessness into the spare bedroom of my home for the last 11 years • Chess Club Coach Oak Creek Intermediate- parent volunteer • Academic Pentathlon Coach Oak Creek Intermediate- parent volunteer • Delta Society Volunteer who took therapy horse Lacey into hospitals, nursing homes,libraries, rodeos and schools. • Director of Now Playing Patients, where patients in Children's Hospital are actors in a musical performance while they were hospitalized.

Currently enrolled Ed.D Community Care and Counseling Liberty University; MA Education University of La Verne; BA Child Development Cal State University Northridge; Certified aerobics instructor and personal trainer Los Angeles Pierce College; Certified Life Coach through the International Coaching Federation; Coursework completed at North Central University Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy; Graduate Institute of Technology Culinary School.

I wake up saying my personal mission statement every morning: I believe in undying healthy loving action for myself, family and neighbors. I live this way so we can live fulfilled lives of authenticity, balance and connection. I focus my time intentionally on faith, family and community. I have three awesome teens, an incredibly supportive and loving husband here on my little patch of heaven just outside Yosemite CA.