I graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 1995. I received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Grand View College in 1999. I graduated from the Buena Vista University with a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction along with an English as a Second Language endorsement in 2016. I started my career at Des Moines Public Schools in 1999 as a Special Education Teacher at McKinley Elementary. After 15 years as a Special Education Teacher I moved to teaching 5th grade in 2014 and since then have taught 3rd grade, 4th grade, and am currently teaching 5th grade.

I live in Altoona with my husband, Mike, and our two kids, Madelyn and Samuel. I enjoy reading, creating things with my Cricut, swimming, and spending time with my family.