I was born and raised in Atchison. I attended the Atchison Public Schools all the way from kindergarten through graduating from Atchison High School in 1987. I earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education from Emporia State University in December of 1991 and a Master’s in Education degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 1999.
I moved back to Atchison after getting my undergraduate degree and subbed during the spring semester in the five elementary schools in the 409 district. I was hired to teach fourth grade for the 1992-1993 school year, but two weeks before school started, my teaching assignment switched to kindergarten. The district implemented all day kindergarten and needed more teachers to teach that grade level. The five elementary schools were combined into one building in 1997. I have taught kindergarten for the last 27 years with two of those years teaching four-year old at-risk preschool and then looping to kindergarten with my preschoolers.
I joined ANEA as soon as I began my teaching career. I never gave a second thought about joining because I had always been told how supportive and important the organization is. Although I have never held a leadership position in the organization, I have attended negotiation meetings between leaders of the organization and the board dealing with salaries and have witnessed how hard and dedicated the team works for the teachers to get what is right and fair for all teachers in the district. I admire these educators and appreciate this organization.
I have taught with many talented educators during my many years of teaching and feel the kindergarten team is a strong, unified team. I have encouraged and will continue to inform my coworkers of the importance of joining our local Association, ANEA, and how supportive the organization is to educators.
