I began working in the Alleghany School system in 1986 as a substitute teacher. After my four children grew older and entered school, I began working full time as a teacher assistant. I knew I had found my passion in life; working with our youth to help them reach their fullest potential. I enrolled in Surry Community College, taking night classes while working in third grade at Glade Creek School during the day. In 2000, I transferred to Sparta School while I finished my degree from Lees-McCrae University. Upon graduation in 2002, I began teaching fifth grade English Language Arts. After teaching for six years, I moved to my current sixth grade position. As I near my retirement, I look back over the past thirty-six years and am proud of the difference I have made in the lives of the many hundreds of students who have passed through my classroom.