Guiding learning is a joy! After graduating from The University of South Florida-Sarasota, I started my teaching career at Hawks Rise Elementary (HRES). Penny Brinson hired me in the middle of the 1999-2000 school year for 3rd grade! The next year was 2nd grade at HRES.

My teaching adventure continued in the Thomasville City School system. I taught 5th grade for two years and then with a partner taught 3rd grade for four years at Scott Elementary School. Next I taught 3rd grade at Harper Elementary School for a year while completing a Masters in Education with a concentration in Reading at Thomas University simultaneously taking On-line classes from the University of Georgia to earn the Gifted Endorsement.

My husband's job took us to Tennessee near Nashville. In Murfreesboro, I had the opportunity to substitute teach for three different school districts in the first year. The second year in Tennessee, I taught 8th grade English at Blackman Middle School.

Again my husband's job provided an opportunity to move. To my great surprise teaching positions were available in Leon County and at Hawks Rise. Thanks to Diane Goode, Evy Friend, Carmen Conner, and Arlene Drye I returned to Hawks Rise to teach 5th grade Language Arts and Social Studies, 2nd grade writing, and to be the school's Reading Coach. The changes happily continue!