Teaching Schedule

There is currently no schedule information

Additional Information

Adjunct Duties

We're starting a new Christian group this year. I always love helping at graduation, especially being on the field and close to the graduating seniors. It is gratifying to see their achievements. I love working with would-be teachers by serving as a master teacher most years.

Academic Background

Bachelor of Arts, UCLA; Teaching Credential, CSULB; Master of Arts, Azuza Pacific University; Full Administrative Credential, UCI

Family

Husband Steve; 5 kids (Jeff, Mark, Amy, Stephanie, and Hayley). I have one grandson. Pets include Tiger and Lilly, my lovebirds; Harry, our rabbit; Rommel, our 38-year-old desert tortoise; and Pearl, our white goldfish.

Why did you become a teacher?

From my earliest days of childhood I set up my "classroom" on the front porch, using a portable chalk board, a piano bench for a desk, and little kids from the neighborhood to be my students. I never really considered any other profession; I always wanted to be a teacher. I fell in love with English literature at UCLA and wrote diaries, poems, and stories for fun. I love teaching and being a student.

Years teaching?

Student taught at Millikan H.S. in Long Beach, then got my first teaching job at Edison High School in this district. I was so young at the time that I got kicked out of the hallway at lunch [students weren't allowed there]. I "grew up" with the school [it was new--or nearly so] and taught reguler, college prep, and honors classes there. I've had my hand in lots of other educational pursuits, too: for 8 years the district's English facilitator (wrote curriculum, developed tests, and organized teacher trainings); a special funding coordinator at the district; and a vice principal in charge of English as a Second Language program for adults in the HB Adult School. More than anything I have loved curriculum planning and teaching and have always returned to teaching. I chose to move to WHS five years ago, and I'm glad I did. It's a great place to "live" every day.

Personal Comments/Quotes

Charles Swindoll's "Attitudes" Stephen Crane's poem, "The Wayfarer"

Interests & Hobbies

Well, my teaching takes most of my time, but I of course love to go home to my family and my pets. I like reading, especially with my daughter Stephanie, now a sophomore at Los Al High School. We talk about books and I love to hear her discover the deeper ideas that she can pull out of the reading. That's a thrill for me. I like poking around in art museums and cooking with my daughter, Hayley, who, at age 10, wants to be another Rachel Ray or a teacher like her mom. I enjoy training student teachers and watching them grow.

Most memorable moment

Besides teaching really great kids in my classes day to day, my favorite memories are those when former students (graduates) let me know that I made a difference to them. I also like it when former students tell me they miss my class.