Staff

My first experience with BCCC was as a parent in 2005. I have two children, ages 22 and 19, both graduates of the Bethlehem Preschool program. I loved BCCC so much that I joined the staff in September 2009 as an Assistant Teacher in the Beginner’s classroom. Prior to working at BCCC, I worked with special needs children for 10 years.

I grew up on an organic, family farm in southern Minnesota, which was and still is a big part of my life. I am passionate about the environment and LOVE teaching children about nature! I graduated from Hamline University with a BA in Environmental Science and Cultural Anthropology and was a Program Director for an Environmental non-profit before having children.

My family lives right here in the Longfellow neighborhood, which is lovely as I can walk, bike or snow shoe to school! As I mentioned, my husband John and I have two children, Ian and Thalie and a dog, named Neville Longbottom. We are outdoor enthusiasts, enjoying biking, hiking, skiing and camping. I am very much looking forward to getting to know you and your children!

I began working at BCCC as an adult aide in the Beginner’s classroom in 2006. It was during this time that I found my calling to become a teacher. While working at Bethlehem, I attended St. Paul College and received my A.S. in Early Childhood Education. I taught for two years as a lead preschool teacher before deciding to leave to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood from Central Michigan University. After graduating in May of 2016, I was privileged to be given the opportunity to return and become a part of the Bethlehem team of educators!

I am a native Minnesotan and although I have on occasion lived out of state, I always find my way back. I grew up in the southeastern portion of the state and have wonderful memories of hiking the state park trails and exploring the shore of Lake Superior. I am an avid collector of books and am always on the lookout to add to my collection.

As a teacher, I have the dual role of teacher and learner. As I try to guide students on their journey of learning, I am also a student of my own students. My goal is to understand their strengths, areas of weakness, what motivates them, what frustrates them, and through learning about them as individuals, be able to support them in their endeavors. Opening student’s reception to the idea of becoming life-long learners is one of my main goals by stimulating their sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. As Dorothy Parker puts it, “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”

I have three sons who all attended Bethlehem starting in 2002. They all loved preschool! Prior to having children I was an elementary school teacher. In 2011 I began to substitute teach here at Bethlehem and then Jill asked if I would like to work in the office and that is how I became the part-time office assistant!