Meet the Teacher

Celebrating Chinese New Year 2013

I have fulfilled various roles throughout my career. From elementary technology teacher to fifth grade teacher to middle school grade level leader, I strive to grow continually as a teacher and learner.

As a graduate of Calvin College, I have a degree in English. My first job was in New York City at a start-up technology company. Then I moved to California to work for a non-profit disaster relief / child sponsorship organization. I finally began my career as a teacher back in New Jersey in fifth grade at P.S. 27. Then I returned to school for a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Michigan State University before teaching as an elementary teacher in Zeeland, Michigan.

I have just returned from an international teaching stint in Indonesia.

I am currently a tech integration specialist at two schools serving K-8 students. My position includes collaborating with teachers and working directly with students.

Here is a letter I wrote to my Grade 7 students about Why I Became a Teacher.

Born in Busan, South Korea, my parents were international teachers for a time. Our home was anywhere from Seoul to Tokyo to Norfolk to Prospect Park. Memories of growing up inform my connections to students. I loved third grade and enjoyed learning multiplication facts, making new friends and crossing the monkey bars at recess. Middle school included writing in the crook of a magnolia tree and riding my bike to the Chesapeake Bay.

Indonesia with its palm trees, geckos, calls to prayer, angkots and lion dancers have woven its colorful way into the ongoing story. Yet, my grandparents’ small town in Michigan  always seemed like the North Pole–kind of magical–while I grew up away from ice and snow. Michigan has somehow never lost that element of charm. I love being back in the mitten state.