Montessori Teacher & CGS Catechist

Born and raised on our family farm in Charleston, I am filled with gratitude for the upbringing that I received here in Coles County and the virtues that I saw practiced in my family and in the community that surrounded me. Patience in waiting for the crops to grow. Trust that God would provide the rain. Kindness towards your neighbor. Compassion for those who suffer. Hard work, effort, and determination. Courage when things are hard. (Like, when my steer drags me across the show ring, grab the halter and show him who's boss. ;)

After 23 years of being away, I am happy to return home and bring my husband, Thomas, of seven years and our three young boys back to the same community that shaped me into who I am. I left home for college in 2001, and have lived in many places: Omaha, the Shenandoah Valley, Rome, Northern Virginia, Alabama, Champaign, Denver, Nashville, Denver again, Virginia Beach, and most recently Carmel, Indiana. I fell in love with the Liberal Arts during my undergraduate studies at Christendom College and spent a semester studying in Rome and backpacking around Europe. For seven years following college I served as a FOCUS Missionary, then spent two years in Nashville discerning a religious vocation with the Dominicans. After that, I became certified in both Montessori and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3-6 and have taught in 3 schools in Denver, Virginia, and Indiana, and in one parish setting.

I truly believe that the Holy Spirit is moving hearts in this community to stir up a renewal and a revival of great faith. I believe that there are no coincidences with God, but rather shining moments of His Providence. I am excited to bring the gifts that I have received and offer them to the community, especially to the young children in the Montessori Pre-K and Kindergarten classroom and Atrium at Nazareth Catholic Academy.