> Growing up in Shoreview, MN and attending Mounds View High School, I played basketball and was concertmaster of my High School Orchestra.  I was a

member of the All-State Orchestra my senior year and a National Merit Scholar Finalist.

> I have a B.S. in Plant Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I raced road bikes with the University of Wisconsin Cycling Team and played violin in the Symphony Orchestra.  

> After graduation, the University of Minnesota recruited me for an Research Scientist position in the Department of Plant Pathology where I did fungal genetics work and field research on dry beans.

> I felt that I needed more people contact so I left my research job and entered the post-baccalaureate MEd/Initial Licensure program for science education at the University of Minnesota.

> I have a MEd in Science Education from the University of Minnesota and a STEM Graduate Certificate from St. Catherine University.  I have been teaching for over 20 years.

> In my spare time I work on my house, fix cars, sew, cook, make sourdough bread, play Hardanger fiddle, drink tea, ride my bike here and there, and make award-winning beer and cider.  I'm a BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) certified beer judge and judge at the Minnesota State Fair.

Favorite quote: "All Battles are won before they are fought" 

Sun Tzu

(It's all about the preparation!)