I grew up on the other side of Brush Mountain in Giles County, Virginia and have fond memories of tromping around in the creek and hills behind my parents’ home. I went to Eastern Elementary and graduated from Blacksburg High School. After attending the College of William and Mary for a year I set out on an adventure and worked with AmeriCorps in California and Utah. I wasn’t quite done with the western states so I finished my undergraduate degree in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the University of New Mexico. I taught 4th grade for three years in Albuquerque. During those first several years of teaching, I was able to work with students from many different cultural backgrounds and I learned a great deal as an educator. In 2005, the Blue Ridge Mountains called me home and I began teaching 1st grade at an independent school in Blacksburg. I put teaching on hold last year to pursue a graduate degree but good fortune guided me to a mid-year 4th grade teaching position at CES. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to return to CES for a new school year. I’ll be the teacher arriving by bicycle (almost) each morning!