I am looking forward to beginning my 28th and final year as a teacher! This will be my 18th year at CTE. Most of the years I have taught have been as a fourth grade teacher, but I have taught a 3rd/4th grade combo for three of those years, fifth grade for two years, sixth grade for one year, and a 2nd/3rd/and 4th grade combo for one of those years...aaaaagh!
I attended Colorado State University for several years before moving to the Mesa/Tempe, Arizona area. (Go Devils!) I eventually returned to Colorado to finish up my college career at Metropolitan State College, where I graduated with a degree in Behavioral Science with a minor in reading.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing cards, watching sports on TV (in the air conditioning), and taking short trips to our cabin near Estes Park. In anticipation of retirement a few months down the road, I have recently taken up golfing again. I am almost to the stage where I can leave the calculator at home.
Interests and Hobbies
Plain and simple...I am a sports nut. I have enjoyed following college and professional sports for as long as I can remember. When I started teaching, both the Colorado Buffaloes and Colorado State Rams were decent football teams (do you remember that far back???). Along with several friends, I began traveling to the CSU and CU bowl games over the holiday break. Since then, our local football teams have fallen on hard times, but my interest in traveling to different bowl games has increased! I have been to college football bowl games in Memphis, San Antonio (4), San Diego (3), San Francisco (2), Phoenix (2), Las Vegas, and recently, New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl five of the past six years. I was fortunate to watch Oklahoma and Ohio State whoop up on 'Bama two straight years!
I have also enjoyed making the trip to Omaha, Nebraska every summer for the College World Series. This summer marked my 18th consecutive trip out there for the summer classic.
Of course there are the Broncos, too! I have been a huge fan of our NFL team for as far back as I can remember. I was fortunate enough to go to the Super Bowl in New York a few years ago. Despite the lopsided result, it was one of the best bowl trips I have ever been to.
This year...
My goal this year is to create an environment where each 4th grader feels safe, comfortable, supported, and encouraged to try things he/she never thought were possible. I want to foster that love of learning while challenging the students and striving to meet their needs along the way.
I look forward to working with all of you this year!
