I grew up in Ankeny, Iowa knowing my whole life that I wanted to be a teacher.  I remember making my younger brother and his friend “play school,” which they obliged until I started giving homework.  My love of math started in college when a professor drew a huge wheel-shaped diagram including all the math I had learned and would be learning. The whole thing looked perfect and exciting and I've been sold out on the subject ever since.  

 

I met my husband at the same time - we have been married 27 years and have 2 grown children. 

 

In my small community, I am known as 'the math teacher' and parents have contacted me to tutor their students individually. What I love about teaching is shining a light on the hard stuff and hearing a student say, “oh, that’s it? This isn’t even that hard.”  I love helping students realize their own ability. Math does not have to feel foreign or impossible, and I am supercharged when students come to understand that for themselves. 

 

Honestly, I feel the most energized when I am able to come alongside a frustrated young person and watch their total frustration transform into understanding and self confidence. This is why I am excited to start this new adventure. I want to help students one at a time to say “No” to the lie that they are not smart enough or good enough.  They are, we can do this.