Meet the Student-Centered Teacher Behind Learning Keys21

 I’m here to lend a hand in helping you find your path and support you on your journey as a parent or teacher for your students.   Let’s work together to unlock your learner’s full potential!

Believe it or not, I’ve been a teacher since the 4th grade! It began in 1966, when I was asked to assist a classmate who struggled to read a textbook. During this time, dyslexia and learning differences were not widely understood. Being my classmate’s read-aloud partner ignited my passion for helping others learn. Even after 57 years, patience and a genuine desire to assist others remain the core principles that shape my teaching style.

When I was 12 years old, my father passed away. My favorite memories of him are listening to him read Alice in Wonderland, Winnie-the-Pooh and The Wind in the Willows. While I never thought much about being a teacher, teaching opportunites seem to find me throughout my life. As a child I learned to read early, and we had shelves and shelves of old and new books in the house.  

I have cherished memories of my dad reading Alice in Wonderland and Winnie the Pooh to me when I was just 3 or 4 years old. Starting kindergarten at 4 was quite an experience, as my parents wanted me to be in the same class as their friends’ kids. Despite being the youngest, I could read Alice in Wonderland all by myself by the time I turned 5. Math concepts were tricky, but the library was my sanctuary. Whenever I needed a pick-me-up or an escape, I’d lose myself in the stacks of our school or local library.

1. While working as a reading specialist at a children’s hospital in Boston, I had the fantastic opportunity to skydive in scenic New Hampshire!
2. I was born and raised in New Orleans but married a wonderful Canadian in Boston and ended up living in Alberta for a decade.
3. I’ve been fascinated with technology for as long as I can remember.
4. Opossums are really cool! Not only do they pose no harm to us, but they also help by eating ticks and are immune to rabies!
5. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to visit Ireland and Great Britain three times. Each time, I can’t help but feel a genetic pull towards these enchanting and magical destinations, especially Ireland.
6. I am a visual and kinesthetic learner.
7. Welcoming exchange students and visitors from all corners of the globe to my home in New Orleans has allowed me to appreciate the significance of connecting with people.
8. Since I was young, I have had a passion for miniatures and have been collecting vintage dollhouses and dollhouse furniture ranging from the 1930s to the 1970s.
9. In the autumn of 2018, I left my full-time teaching job determined to create an online business; now, it has finally become a reality!
10. Even though I have pursued a career in education since 1980, my time as a classroom teacher has been a mere eight years. Instead, I have worked as a reading clinic specialist, homeschooling program teacher, and outdoor education instructor, which has given me a diverse perspective on teaching and learning.