I earned a dual bachelor of science degree in special education and elementary education and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership – Educational Administration from Bradley University in Peoria, IL before completing my doctoral studies earning a doctorate of education degree in special education with a focus on student equity and cultural responsiveness at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. I have been an educator for nearly two decades.

Throughout my career, I have served as a self-contained general education fifth grade teacher and a self-contained reading and math teacher for students with IEPs in fifth and sixth grade in Peoria, IL. I also served as a resource teacher in grades K, 2, 4, and 5 in Normal, IL. During my tenure as a teacher, I supported students found eligible under the following categories: autism, emotional disturbance, OHI, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, and traumatic brain injury.

After leaving the classroom, I served as a building administrator in Dunlap, IL and an assistant superintendent of pupil services in Carbondale, Illinois before serving in my current role as a building principal in Normal, IL. My current role encompasses leading a non-public day school that serves students from 28 counties with exceptionalities including autism, emotional disturbance and/or communication disorders.