Since I was in the first grade, I have always wanted to be a teacher.  It was at this time that I had my favorite teacher.  This teacher left such an impact on me that year that I wanted to be just like her.  Her name was Mrs. Slankard.  Little did I know that 27 years later I would marry her son.  She inspired me to become a teacher and now she is my mother-in-law.  She has since retired and I am currently holding the Mrs. Slankard status, which seems rather daunting to me to try and attempt to meet her level of greatness.  

     After High School, I knew exactly where I wanted to go to college.  I chose to stay local and attend Olney Central College for two years before  Eastern Illinois University to earn my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.  I student taught at Clay City Elementary with Mrs. Becky Rains.  After graduation, I was a substitute teacher for 2 years before accepting my first teaching job back in my home town, where I went to school, Noble Illinois.  I taught Kindergarten and loved it.  Noble consolodated with Olney and so did my position.  Altogether I taught kindergarten for six years before I took my job here at Flora Elementary School teaching fourth grade.  I had always said that I would never leave Kindergarten, that was where my heart was but here I am in 4th grade, loving it and saying I will never leave 4th! :)