I am excited to be returning as a 5th grade teacher with Ascent Academy of Lehi.  I am a retired law enforcement officer with Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake (formerly known as the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office). I worked as a police officer for 21 ½ years and worked in many different areas within the department. During my time in law enforcement I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Utah State University in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Psychology, Spanish, and Criminal Justice graduating with High Honors. During my last two years as a police officer I had the opportunity to work in a junior high school where my love for teaching and working with youth was re-kindled.

I believe every child needs a solid foundation to build on. They need a well- rounded education but also a good self-esteem and confidence to know they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. I am looking forward to helping build that confidence and knowledge in all of my students and prepare them to advance to their next level of education. I believe students can learn to be contributing citizens to the classroom as they learn respect for each other and we build a community of engaged students while having fun!

I do have fun! I love to travel and have even been to Fiji! I was born and raised in Salt Lake City.  I am a widow/single mom with one daughter. My husband was also a law enforcement officer for Salt Lake City for 25 years before he passed away from cancer. My daughter and I have 20 chickens and 2 small dogs. I play piano and teach beginning piano lessons.  I love to garden, travel,  play games with my family, and read. My daughter and I also love to go to the theater and watch old television series together. I have always had a great love for learning and I believe that we never stop. My motto is to keep pressing forward no matter what life throws at you, “Semper pergendum sin timore” (Keep moving forward without fear).

I am looking forward to getting to know my new students and their parents and make this a team effort for a successful and fun year