I always tell my students to "do what you love, and love what you do".  Columbia Central High School allows me to do what I love, and it's what I love to do--teach visual art to young adults. Before becoming part of the "Purple and Gold Family" seven years ago, I was the Visual Art teacher for three years at Highland Park Elementary School here in Columbia. I also taught 7 years at Larry A. Ryle High, a "Newsweeks Top 100 School" in Union, Kentucky before relocating here. I was blessed to instruct all levels including Advanced Placement; many of my students earned 4's and 5's on their AP Portfolio. I am very excited to teach Basic visual art introducing new concepts, techniques, art history and reiterating the joy of creating.

 

     My amazing husband and I have enjoyed living here with our children and step-children since 2011. I am a Christian attending First Family Church. I thank God for the opportunity to teach art, share the love of Christ, and the chance to be a part of young lives, hoping to enhance their creative minds. 

 

     I am a very passionate educator of visual art, design, art history and humanities in the public system, and have one year experience in a private school system in Seoul, Korea. My credentials include a Master's Degree in Art Education from Boston University, an education degree from Northwestern State and a BFA in Interior Design from Louisiana Tech University. I had the priviledge of serving in the Louisiana Army National Guard for 6 years; my unit was also deployed to Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Working extensively as an artist, Interior Designer, Graphic Designer, muralist, and chalk art exhibitionist led me to develop a unique curriculum. 

 

     My personal strengths include drawing, painting, and ceramics. Other interests in Visual Art education include core subject matter such as science, social studies, history, reading, cursive writing and language arts.  Dramatic performance is also a passion of mine. Military training helped me to acquire strong leadership skills and devotion, which has continuously motivated me to be an influential educator. I enjoy teaching immensely and am constantly investigating new techniques in art education and curriculum development.  I fully believe that Creative Minds do Equal Unlimited Potential in all realms of learning!