Education
The College Of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ Masters of Arts in Teaching, May 2011
Dual Certification: General Education K-5 & Special Education K-12
Honors: ETS Recognition of Excellence
Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA Bachelor of Science, May 2002
Major: Psychobiology
Minors: Music & Experimental Psychology
Interests
Music
~ I love listening to recorded music and attending concerts. I'm a fan of a wide variety of genres and artists. Some of the best concerts I've been to include U2, Snow Patrol, Josh Groban, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I've also attended an orchestral concert which featured the music of Star Wars and have had the opportunity to meet John Williams (the composer of the themes from Star Was, Jaws, Harry Potter, and lots of others).
I don't just like listening to music, I enjoy playing it as well. I was part of the clarinet line in high school and college, participated in a guitar ensemble, and have taken lessons on trumpet. I’ve been playing the piano almost my whole life. Several years ago, I began to play the violin. I take lessons, am part of a String Trio, and was a member of the Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle. It's never too late to learn something new!
~ I love listening to recorded music and attending concerts. I'm a fan of a wide variety of genres and artists. Some of the best concerts I've been to include U2, Snow Patrol, Josh Groban, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I've also attended an orchestral concert which featured the music of Star Wars and have had the opportunity to meet John Williams (the composer of the themes from Star Was, Jaws, Harry Potter, and lots of others).
I don't just like listening to music, I enjoy playing it as well. I was part of the clarinet line in high school and college, participated in a guitar ensemble, and have taken lessons on trumpet. I’ve been playing the piano almost my whole life. Several years ago, I began to play the violin. I take lessons, am part of a String Trio, and was a member of the Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle. It's never too late to learn something new!
Nature
~On a sunny day you won’t find me inside. I'd rather be exploring nature by boat, bike, or foot. I’ve spent breaks kayaking in a bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, rock climbing in Maine, canyoneering in Utah, and hiking in almost all the regions of the United States. Some of my favorite sights include the waterfalls of Yosemite National Park, the dripping, mossy trees of Washington State, the teapot rock formations at the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada, and the reflective blue lakes in Banff National Park in Canada. I've also spent time exploring active volcanoes, trekking across glaciers & through natural ice caves, and rafting in an iceberg-filled lagoon in Iceland. More recently, I visited Prague and hiked among the meadows, hills, and castle ruins in the national parks that bridge the border between Germany and the Czech Republic. I have been lucky enough to explore parts of the Arctic Circle in Abisko, Sweden, by snowshoe, dogsled and reindeer sled!
~On a sunny day you won’t find me inside. I'd rather be exploring nature by boat, bike, or foot. I’ve spent breaks kayaking in a bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, rock climbing in Maine, canyoneering in Utah, and hiking in almost all the regions of the United States. Some of my favorite sights include the waterfalls of Yosemite National Park, the dripping, mossy trees of Washington State, the teapot rock formations at the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada, and the reflective blue lakes in Banff National Park in Canada. I've also spent time exploring active volcanoes, trekking across glaciers & through natural ice caves, and rafting in an iceberg-filled lagoon in Iceland. More recently, I visited Prague and hiked among the meadows, hills, and castle ruins in the national parks that bridge the border between Germany and the Czech Republic. I have been lucky enough to explore parts of the Arctic Circle in Abisko, Sweden, by snowshoe, dogsled and reindeer sled!
Learning
~I love learning new and interesting things. I’m not picky; I want to learn about everything! Some of my favorite places to visit include The Sci-Fi Museum in Seattle,WA, The Calgary Zoo in Canada and The International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine. (Cryptozoologists study mysterious animals like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.) My cats Echo & Paisley love to sit with me while I read an intriguing book or watch an exciting show on TV.
~I love learning new and interesting things. I’m not picky; I want to learn about everything! Some of my favorite places to visit include The Sci-Fi Museum in Seattle,WA, The Calgary Zoo in Canada and The International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine. (Cryptozoologists study mysterious animals like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.) My cats Echo & Paisley love to sit with me while I read an intriguing book or watch an exciting show on TV.
Fun Facts
Mystic Aquarium, Connecticut
~I've visited Mount St. Helens, Mount Washington, and Mount Rushmore. I get closer to my goal of visiting all of the US states and Canadian provinces each year. Only a few left to go!
~ I've hugged a Beluga whale, pet a kangaroo, and been kissed by a giraffe. While on a whale watch, I was amazingly close to humpback whales, orcas, and a great blue whale.
~ I've been whitewater rafting on Class 4 rapids, recorded an album in a gold mine, and worked as a naturalist at a zoo, but I've never been on a roller coaster.
~ I love cats of all shapes and sizes. While working at the zoo, I got to take care of a rescued baby mountain lion while it was small. My two cats are ridiculously spoiled and they know it. Every Sunday morning, I volunteer at Cat Angels Cat Rescue in Cary. Looking to adopt a new furry friend? I can help!!
~ I've watched the entire opening ceremony for every Olympic Games since 1988, have visited 5 Olympic villages (Atlanta, Lake Placid, Salt Lake City, Calgary & Vancouver) and all three Olympic Training Centers in the US (New York, Colorado, & California). I'm waiting for the day to come when the Games are held at a local city so I can see the athletes in action.
~ I've hugged a Beluga whale, pet a kangaroo, and been kissed by a giraffe. While on a whale watch, I was amazingly close to humpback whales, orcas, and a great blue whale.
~ I've been whitewater rafting on Class 4 rapids, recorded an album in a gold mine, and worked as a naturalist at a zoo, but I've never been on a roller coaster.
~ I love cats of all shapes and sizes. While working at the zoo, I got to take care of a rescued baby mountain lion while it was small. My two cats are ridiculously spoiled and they know it. Every Sunday morning, I volunteer at Cat Angels Cat Rescue in Cary. Looking to adopt a new furry friend? I can help!!
~ I've watched the entire opening ceremony for every Olympic Games since 1988, have visited 5 Olympic villages (Atlanta, Lake Placid, Salt Lake City, Calgary & Vancouver) and all three Olympic Training Centers in the US (New York, Colorado, & California). I'm waiting for the day to come when the Games are held at a local city so I can see the athletes in action.
Visit my virtual mansion to learn even more about me, my interests, and some of the tools and topics you might explore while in my class.