Being a teacher for students from grades pre-K through 6th grade has been the joy of my life. I have been an educator for seventeen years. As a Reading Specialist, my priority has always been to help students to develop a lifelong love of reading. Its very important to help students to build a positive self-esteem. I have enjoyed teaching 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade and being a reading teacher. I believe that early intervention of reading is the foundation of a successful reader. After graduating Cum Laude, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. from St. Leo College, I began working as an educator with the Colonial Service Board, Even Start Program, in Williamsburg, Virginia. As an Even-Start Early Childhood educator I worked with students and parents to develop healthy parenting skills and taught nurturing skills. Working for the CSB Prevention/Family Focus Department as the Head Early Childhood Educator in the York County Even Start Literacy Program was very rewarding. It was a wonderful feeling giving back to the community by helping young parents earn their GED. In addition, I taught the Nurturing Program, a parent educational program for the improvement of parent child relationships. I continued my education with the Teacher’s Certification Program through Hampton University. Upon completion of this program, I began my career as a 1st grade teacher at All Saints Catholic School in Manassas, VA. Wishing to work closer to home in Fredericksburg, VA, I was assigned to a 3rd grade teaching position at Holy Cross Academy for 3 years. I enjoyed working with a faith filled community and loved to be able to combine faith and education in teaching. Teaching in the classroom, sparked an interest to continue my education as a Literacy Specialist. I completed the Master of Education, (Literacy Specialist) from Mary Washington University 2012, with a Postgraduate Professional License for teaching in Virginia. Other teaching experience includes pre-school 4-year old programs, Head Start, and permanent substitute teacher for special needs students in Fredericksburg City Schools. I enjoyed a position for two years as the Reading Resource Teacher at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic School. I have been the Private reading and math tutor for a Speech Therapy office for 7 years. I am truly compassionate about wanting to help all students accomplish their reading goals and learn to love reading. In addition to teaching, I am a mother of three young adults, a teacher, a nurse and a college student. I am also very proud of my 5 grandchildren, and my retired Air Force spouse of 40 years. I am very proud to have been an Air Force spouse for 20 years and I have a great compassion to give back to military families.Being a teacher for students from grades pre-K through 6th grade has been the joy of my life. I have been an educator for seventeen years. As a Reading Specialist, my priority has always been to help students to develop a lifelong love of reading. Its very important to help students to build a positive self-esteem. I have enjoyed teaching 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade and being a reading teacher. I believe that early intervention of reading is the foundation of a successful reader. After graduating Cum Laude, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. from St. Leo College, I began working as an educator with the Colonial Service Board, Even Start Program, in Williamsburg, Virginia. As an Even-Start Early Childhood educator I worked with students and parents to develop healthy parenting skills and taught nurturing skills. Working for the CSB Prevention/Family Focus Department as the Head Early Childhood Educator in the York County Even Start Literacy Program was very rewarding. It was a wonderful feeling giving back to the community by helping young parents earn their GED. In addition, I taught the Nurturing Program, a parent educational program for the improvement of parent child relationships. I continued my education with the Teacher’s Certification Program through Hampton University. Upon completion of this program, I began my career as a 1st grade teacher at All Saints Catholic School in Manassas, VA. Wishing to work closer to home in Fredericksburg, VA, I was assigned to a 3rd grade teaching position at Holy Cross Academy for 3 years. I enjoyed working with a faith filled community and loved to be able to combine faith and education in teaching. Teaching in the classroom, sparked an interest to continue my education as a Literacy Specialist. I completed the Master of Education, (Literacy Specialist) from Mary Washington University 2012, with a Postgraduate Professional License for teaching in Virginia. Other teaching experience includes pre-school 4-year old programs, Head Start, and permanent substitute teacher for special needs students in Fredericksburg City Schools. I enjoyed a position for two years as the Reading Resource Teacher at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic School. I have been the Private reading and math tutor for a Speech Therapy office for 7 years. I am truly compassionate about wanting to help all students accomplish their reading goals and learn to love reading. In addition to teaching, I am a mother of three young adults, a teacher, a nurse and a college student. I am also very proud of my 5 grandchildren, and my retired Air Force spouse of 40 years. I am very proud to have been an Air Force spouse for 20 years and I have a great compassion to give back to military families.