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Indiana - Birth to 6 months old
Life began in Auburn, Indiana with my parents Tom and Jennie, as the first born child. For the first 6 months of my life we lived on a lake, close to extended family. -
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Childhood
From birth to high school graduation I thrived with my family. I learned the value of faith, friendship, and love. Moving every 2 to 5 years also taught me resilience, efficacy, and that not all change is bad. -
Colorado - 6 months to 4 years old
My family moved to Colorado Springs, CO due to my father’s job. Soon after our move, my brother was born in 1980. As a family of four we enjoyed exploring nature. -
Nebraska - 4 years old to 9 years old
1982-1987
This move brought us to a small town farming community & parochial school. My teachers performed home visits and my parents became involved in the school and church, quickly forming friendships with teachers and administrators. Each year our elementary school performed holiday pageants, which was my first exposure to public speaking. -
Arkansas - 10 to 12 years old
Arkansas was our shortest stay in a state. I experienced fourth thru sixth grade here. Arkansas had a distinct southern culture and was the most racially diverse place I had lived in. Racially I was the minority, for the first time in my life, when I entered the middle school. I learned the importance of relationships with teachers and peers the most during this time as I navigated peer conflicts. -
Minnesota - 12 to 18 years old
My family moved to Woodbury, Minnesota a few short months before a major October snowstorm! I joined 6th grade two months before summer break, and continued on through High School graduation. I was involved in volleyball, cheerleading, and my youth group at church. My Christian confirmation was a major life event as I gave my testimony of faith for the first time. -
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Learning
For almost three decades I have been engaged in learning more about myself and the teaching profession. 1996-2000 - Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Bethel University 2002-2004 - Master of Arts in Education, Hamline University 2014-2015 - K-12 Reading Specialist License, Hamline University 2022 - current - Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Bethel University -
Engagement
On my 19th birthday I got engaged to my high school sweetheart of five years. We had a two year engagement so that Andy could graduate from college and I could complete my junior year at Bethel University. -
Wedding
Andy and I were married in the Lutheran Church we both grew up attending. Our brothers, cousins, and friends joined the wedding party. We had a wonderful celebration with family and friends from across the country. -
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Experience
My role as an educator has been diverse, yet all contained within a single district. During my career I have been an elementary teacher, mentor, peer evaluator, reading specialist and mentoring and induction coordinator. -
Bachelor of Arts in Education
From 1996-2000 I completed my undergraduate work in elementary education at Bethel University. Following my childhood calling to work with children, teaching felt natural. My creativity and attention to detail aligned with creating a welcoming classroom environment and engaging lesson plans. I had student teaching experiences in first and fifth grade. Prior to graduation I was hired at Orono Public Schools. -
Elementary School Teacher
For 8 years I taught first and second grade students at Schumann Elementary in the Orono Public School district. I learned the value of teamwork, partnering with parents, developing trusting relationships, data-driven decisions, and providing multi-tiered support to ensure student growth. -
Masters of Arts in Education
During my second year of teaching I was at a crossroads. I was burning out as a teacher, so it was either quit or go back to school. I turned to Hamline University to earn a Master's degree. One influential class called The Courage to Teach helped remind me of my why, my purpose and calling to education. -
Matthew is Born
Matthew arrived on the last day of school, one week before his due date. He was our first born child and first born grandchild on both sides of the family. He is a quiet observer, analytic thinker and creative problem solver. -
Natalie is Born
Natalie was born during memorial day weekend, two weeks before her due date. From the day she was born has been a strong, independent girl. She completed our family of four! -
K-12 Peer Evaluator
As part of the state wide QComp and Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System (ATPPS) program, our district created several teacher leader positions. I was the first full-time K-12 peer evaluator in the district. This position placed me in all buildings with all tenured staff positions. Due to this role I learned the importance of active listening, developing growth mindsets, and the power of reflection. -
Reading Specialist License
After many years of teaching, I went back to Hamline University and earned my K-12 Reading Specialist license. This opened the door for me to become an elementary reading interventionist. In this position I have served Kindergarten through third grade students. -
Breast Cancer Diagnosis
A month before my 40th birthday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This event marked my life as I chose to fight for health, courage, and faith in complete healing. I also reprioritized my values of faith, family, and self care. I remember receiving the doctors call, feeling the shock of the diagnosis, and aware that my children were watching. We spent the day together capturing the joy in life by spending quality time together. -
Mentoring and Induction Coordinator
From 2008-2011 I was the first Mentoring and Induction leader in the district under the Q-Comp and ATPPS programs. Then again in 2019-2023 I co-lead the program again. I learned about the value and power of diverse team collaboration, as well as, the importance of hiring, onboarding, and supporting teachers from different levels of experience. Designing and leading professional development for new staff and mentors taught me the importance of explicit communication. -
My Grandmother's Legacy
My Grandmother, Viola Bearman, lived to be 101 years old. During her lifetime she showed me how to live a faith filled life as she prayed, served others, overcame loss, and loved us unconditionally. -
Matthew's High School Graduation
On June 9, 2022, Matthew graduated from Orono High School. Our oldest child was going off to college in the fall to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. This meant that we were entering into a new phase of parenting a young adult! Since Matthew was going off to college, I felt it was the right time to pursue my leadership gifting by enrolling in a doctoral degree. The goal is for both of us to graduate at the same time in 2026! -
Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership
In 2022, I began the doctoral program at Bethel University to follow my calling to educational leadership. With no clear goal in mind, I stepped out in obedience to see where this journey would take me. -
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Future
In the future, my hopes and dreams involve pursing leadership opportunities, maintaining a faith filled marriage, successfully raising adult children, and remaining grounded in who God created me to be.