I am from New Mexico where I attended and graduated cum laude from the University of New Mexico (Go LOBOS!) with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, I moved to Arizona and immediately began my teaching career in the Tempe School District. In my ten years in Tempe, I taught 6-8 ELA while differentiating curriculum to meet all students' needs from intervention to Honors. I also taught the AVID elective and coached softball. I am starting my fifth year at Casteel where I have taught 7th and 8th grade ELA, and I am the level lead for the 8th grade.