About Me

Hey y'all (that's Southern for "welcome to my blog!") and thank you for stopping by my About Me page. I'm excited to share a little bit about myself and the journey that led me to where I am today.

A Little About My Family

Before we dive into the teaching side of things, let's start with a little non-school information.

My husband and I have been married for 13 wonderful years. Together, we are raising two of the most beautiful, kind, and unique little girls.

My oldest daughter, Annie, loves drawing, writing stories, and creating all kinds of crafts. My youngest daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with Sensory Modulation Dysfunction at the age of four. She loves singing, dancing, running, jumping, drawing, and just about anything messy! Watching both of my girls grow into their own unique personalities has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Our family also includes two furry friends who have completely stolen my heart. Gandhi, our sweet pup,  officially joined our family in May of 2015. Aladdin, our rescue kitty, came home with us in September of 2016. They keep life interesting and provide plenty of love, laughter, and occasional chaos!

 

My Journey to Teaching

I graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2012 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. However, teaching wasn't my original plan.

Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a scientist. I spent my first three years of college pursuing a Pre-Med Biology degree before realizing that the medical field wasn't the right fit for me. It was a difficult decision to change directions, but as I reflected on what I truly wanted in life, one thing became very clear: I wanted to help people.

When I thought back to my childhood, I realized I had always loved education. I was the kid who played school, helped my mom decorate her classroom, and volunteered to help teachers grade papers whenever possible. Suddenly, everything clicked—I wanted to be a teacher.

At first, I considered teaching middle or high school math and science since I already had several years of coursework completed in those areas. Ultimately, though, I chose elementary education because I loved the idea of helping young children build the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Growing in Special Education

My teaching journey has taken me through a variety of roles and grade levels, each one shaping me into the educator I am today.

My first two years in education were spent as a Title I Reading and Math Resource teacher. I worked with more than 300 students each year who needed intensive academic support. Those years taught me the importance of intervention, relationships, and meeting students exactly where they are.

From there, I moved into a third-grade gifted and inclusion classroom. At the time, I had very little experience with special education, but I quickly discovered a passion for supporting diverse learners. That experience eventually led me to accept a position as an Interrelated Special Education teacher in a different county.

Determined to become the best educator possible for my students, I spent countless hours researching best practices, learning from experienced educators, and expanding my knowledge of special education. I later earned my special education certification and spent three years co-teaching and providing small-group resource instruction.

My next adventure brought me to a Cross-Categorical Special Needs Preschool classroom, where I spent five incredible years. Teaching preschool students with disabilities taught me so much about communication, accommodations, modifications, individualized instruction, and the importance of celebrating every milestone—big or small. It remains one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

Like many educators, my career was also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a family move, I transitioned out of my preschool position at the end of the 2021–2022 school year and returned to the role of Interrelated teacher. For the next four years, I supported kindergarten through third-grade students through co-teaching and small-group instruction.

Continuing My Education

In 2024, I returned to Kennesaw State University to pursue my Master's degree in Special Education with a concentration in Dyslexia and Autism. I was incredibly honored to be selected as part of my district's very first cohort of teachers whose graduate degrees were fully funded through a degree advancement program.

This experience deepened my understanding of evidence-based literacy practices, dyslexia, autism, specialized instruction, and the many ways we can better support students with diverse learning needs.

A New Chapter

As excited as I have been for every step of my career, I am especially excited about what comes next.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, I will have the incredible honor of opening a brand-new special education unit in my district. I will be returning to my own classroom and teaching students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities in a self-contained Kindergarten–5th grade setting.

This opportunity feels like the culmination of everything I've learned throughout my career, and I cannot wait to create a classroom where every student is valued, supported, challenged, and celebrated.

Why I Started This Blog

I created this blog to share classroom ideas, instructional resources, teaching strategies, and reflections from my journey in special education. Whether you're a special education teacher, general education teacher, parent, or simply someone passionate about helping children learn, I hope you'll find encouragement, inspiration, and practical ideas here.

Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to learning and growing together!