Briefly describe your career background.

I started teaching in the public schools in Paradise Valley District in Phoenix, Arizona.  I taught first and second grade. After getting my master's degree at the University of Illinois I was hired to teach at UNI at Price Laboratory School in 1986. I taught nursery/kindergarten, first, second and third grade. I was asked to teach methods classes while teaching in the classroom and it was a wonderful opportunity to help blend theory and practice for preservice teachers. For many years I taught part time in the elementary classroom and part time teaching method classes, mainly ELEMECML 4123- Methods of Teaching Visual and Performing Arts Integration in the Elementary Classroom. I am passionate about the arts and have loved being able to inspire preservice teachers to promote creativity through integrating the arts in their future classrooms. Over my 39 years at UNI I have worked with over 6,500 preservice teachers. I also served on the planning committees for both the Elementary Literacy Conference and the Social and Emotional Learning Conference here at UNI. These conferences provided professional development for over 17,000 teachers over the years.

Why did you choose this career path?

I like to say I have been in school my whole life. My family renovated a one-room schoolhouse and that was the home I grew up in. I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a teacher and played school all the time. I have always loved children and am so happy that I was able to spend my days in the classroom with them. Getting to work with preservice teachers at UNI gave me the opportunity to make a bigger impact on the future of education.

What brought you to UNI?

I came to UNI for the wonderful experience to teach at Price Lab School. It gave me the opportunity to teach young children and work with preservice teachers at the same time. This job was a dream come true and the colleagues I taught with were master teachers.  I am forever grateful for my time at PLS.

What's your favorite part about UNI?

I love so much about UNI. It is truly a place where education is celebrated and the fact that we graduate so many future teachers makes me proud. UNI feels like home to me and I am so grateful for my long career here. I guess I would have to say my favorite part is working with my students. They inspire me every day.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

Along with working with so many preservice teachers, my proudest accomplishment was being the advisor for the student organization called Art for El Salvador for 10 years here at UNI. Through our work creating art and selling it at Art From the Heart benefits, we were able to partner with the original founders of the Art for El Salvador Charity (started by two UNI students, Maria and Niah Howard) and help a community build a middle school in rural El Salvador. In 2015 we took a delegation of 17 students and family members to dedicate the school. It was life changing!

If involved in research, what is your area of interest? 

I have been involved in many different research projects including looking at how arts integration can impact students' executive function skills. I worked with Mason Kuhn on this project connected with the Arts Integration Professional Development School (PDS) model we facilitated at Irving Elementary School for five years. We received a Veridian Grant for our work with the elementary students and many of our UNI preservice teachers helped teach the lessons at Irving for this research project. We discovered that elementary students can improve their executive function skills by learning through the arts.  

What does being student-focused mean to you?

Being student-focused means thinking about the needs of our students first.  It includes planning hands-on experiences where students can learn by doing. The Arts Integration PDS model was student-focused as the preservice teachers were able to see firsthand the impact integrating the arts makes by teaching weekly lessons to elementary students. They were encouraged to make the lessons they planned student-focused, showing they could apply the theory behind arts integration.

We talk about helping students realize or even exceed their expectations and potential. What does it mean to you to be part of that process and see the outcome?

I feel so privileged to have worked with so many preservice teachers. While working with them I encouraged them to challenge themselves to think outside the box and teach creatively. One of the biggest joys for me is hearing from the preservice teachers I worked with who now have classrooms of their own. They stay in touch and tell me about projects they are doing to engage their students through the arts. It is such an honor to see the impact they are making in the classroom and to think I had a small part in encouraging that makes me very happy and proud.  

What do you hope students learn from you?

I hope that my preservice students learn the importance of inspiring creativity in their classrooms through integrating the arts. I want them to make learning engaging for their students and make school come alive!

Why do you encourage students to consider the programs you lead or teach?

Integrating the arts is so essential and being able to work with every elementary preservice teacher has allowed me to motivate and inspire them to do the same for their future elementary students. Being able to encourage creativity is a gift beyond measure and I am so grateful for the opportunities UNI has given me .

What excites you about your chosen field -- and how does that passion translate into your efforts to prepare students as well?

As I mentioned earlier I wanted to be a teacher my whole life. If I had to pick a new profession tomorrow it would still be education. I absolutely have loved being an educator and I try to help the preservice students see the important job they are undertaking. They will be influencing the children, who are our future. Through my passion for teaching I hope to inspire them to see the difference they can make.

What advice do you have for prospective/current students to make the most of their time at UNI?

UNI is a place where you can get involved in so many things. Take advantage of the opportunites to meet others and participate in the many activities available to you. Go see the shows at GBPAC, attend the sporting events to cheer on the Panthers, join a club that interests you and before you know it you will become purple for life!!