I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I earned my Master of Education from Northern Arizona University along with my K-12 reading specialist endorsement. In 2008, I became a National Board Certified Teacher in literacy. I began teaching in 1994 in the Chandler Unified School District at Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary. In addition to my current teaching position as a media specialist, I was a K-6 reading coach and specialist for ten years and I taught first grade for thirteen years.