Teaching is my passion. I have been teaching since September 2001, and I truly can't imagine doing anything else in my life! I view each year as a way to become an even better teacher than I was the previous year, so I spend a great deal of my free time researching and learning about new techniques, methods, strategies, etc. There is ALWAYS something new to learn. It's sort of like a hobby to me, and I enjoy it. In fact, last year I read 17 professional books...just for fun...yes, I said, "fun." :) I also love attending professional workshops. My favorite so far has been the National Board's Teaching and Learning Conference I attended in Washington D.C in March, 2014. Being in a room full of 3000 passionate educators learning about best teaching practices, was by far one of the most fabulous professional development experiences of my life! Because of it, I will be starting the process of going for my National Board Certification this year. 

In 2014 I was nominated by my school and district for the Maine Teacher of the Year program. Although, I did not recieve the state title, I did make it all the way to the last leg of the process (a final interview) as one of the 3 state finalists for the 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year. In order to keep advancing to the next stages a great deal of work was involved...awesome work! I can't even begin to put into words what I learned from being a 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year State Finalist, or how empowering it was. It gave me this extra spring in my step, turned me into a leader and advocate for my profession, and improved my teaching. I also learned so much from the many colleagues who I met throughout the state of Maine during the process. You can believe me when I say that great things are happening in classrooms all around our state!