“When I grow up I’m going to be a teacher just like you… only skinny.” This is how five-year-old Richard told me that he loved school one morning when he walked into my room. My initial reaction, of course, was laughter. It took me a little while thinking about it to realize that he was telling me that I had made an impact and that he loved school! I have a great job. I teach kindergarten.

My students make me laugh out loud every day. I love having kids with big personalities in my classroom. I firmly believe that these are the children who will change the world. I strive to make sure that all my students experience school as a safe environment where their risk-taking, creative, and individual spirits can really shine. 

I’ve been an educator since 2001 and currently teach in Conover, North Carolina at Lyle Creek Elementary.  We are part of the Catawba County School System. I graduated with my undergraduate degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina and with my master’s in elementary education from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. I am a lifelong learner who loves to bring new ideas into my classroom. I recently earned a local endorsement for teaching students who are academically gifted.

Personally, I have been married for 14 years to a wonderful woman named Liz. We have an awesome daughter, Ella. Her activities and social schedule keeps us busy. We live in Hickory, North Carolina and have one cat named Jessie.