Philosophy of Education:

I believe that all children possess the ability to read, and my job is to provide students with the necessary skills to support their learning. My promise to my students is to challenge them in each content area, teaching them to be critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and productive members of our community. 

Schooling: 

I have attended the Niagara Falls School District my entire life, from 99th Street School, to Trott Vocational & Technical High School where I received a degree in Drafting and Technical Engineering. I am proud to now work as an educator to support the next generation of students to achieve their goals. 

Professional History:

I have served in many capacities during my career in the field of education:

Intervention Specialist Grades K-8

Reading Specialist Grades K-8

Reading First Literacy Coach Grades K-8

RTI Coordinator

Read 180 Coordinator

ELA Teacher Grades 4-8

All Content Areas:

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 4

Grade 6

MY Favorite Things... 

Hobbies:

One of my favorite things is to garden, which I find to be very relaxing. I often think about the day ahead of me with a cup of coffee in my hand, listening to the birds in the trees, and feeling the warmth of the sun's rays on my face. It is where I enjoy reading the most!

My Favorites

Color: Fuchsia

Season: Fall

Drink: Hazelnut Coffee

Animal: Monkey

Children's Authors:

Patricia Palacco - Thank You, Mr. Falker, Pink and Say, When Lightning Comes in a Jar, The Junkyard Wonders

Cynthia Rylant - The Relatives Came, Missing May, When I Was Young in the Mountains, The Old Woman Who Named Things

Katherine Paterson - Bridge to Teribithia, 

Lois Lowry - Number The Stars

Judy Blume - The Pain and the Great One 

My Passion:

There are two things I am passionate about in life after God, both of which I take great pride in; the first is my family and the second thing I'm passionate about is my teaching. I have been married for almost 32 years and I have four beautiful children. My two older sons took after their father and are union construction workers, and both of my daughters are graduates from Niagara University. I believe that all children possess talents and strengths and our job as a parent is to help them realize and develop their strengths, while supporting them as they achieve their goals!

My other passion in life is to support the children I serve! I feel privileged to be able to pour into the next generation of children who will achieve greatness! I love spending time creating lessons where the students are engaged in hands-on and mind's-on activities. I am most excited when the classroom is busy and students are working in collaborative groups. I love when students share their learning with their classmates and engage in discourse! I love when you get to witness the "AHA Moment" as the light bulb goes on in their heads, when they verbalize their thinking and you know learning has begun. I love having wonderful conversations with students and watching them grow and blossom into creative thinkers, writers, and explorers. I love being a part of the learning process, because we are always growing and learning as individuals!