I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on reading from the University of Northern Iowa. This last May I graduated from Morningside College with my Masters of Education. 
I love teaching and feel very fortunate to have the chance to work with so many wonderful young people.  I have been teaching at West Elementary for eleven years.   I started teaching fifth grade, which I taught for three years before moving down to teach third grade for a year.  This will be my seventh year teaching fourth grade.  As you can see, I've tried all the grade levels here at West.  I think I've found the perfect grade to teach. 

I was born and raised here in Independence.  My dad, Don, is a barber.  I'll bet some of you even have him cut your hair.  Many of you may know my mom, Mrs. Reidy, who teaches first grade at East Elementary.  Did any of you have her for your first grade teacher?  I have two younger brothers.   Marty lives in Boise, Idaho with his family and Brian lives here in Independence, with his wife and two children.  I also have a younger sister, Erin, who lives in Fairbank with her husband and three children.

My husband Mike and I have six children, Justin, Julia, Jeremy, Jason, Jackson, and Jenavieve. (It is a tradition to use the letter "J" in my husband's family.) I also have a stepson, Eric. My oldest son will be leaving for college in August; it will be odd for him to be gone. The older kids are involved in many sports, as well as band.  Go Indee Marching Band!!  As you might guess we are pretty busy around our house.  We have spent hours at baseball fields this summer, along with band and football camps.   We live on a small acreage near Rowley where we have several cats ( I'm not sure what all their names are) and two dogs, Masher and Sirrus.