In addition to my education and experience, I have been physically active. I am a first dan blackbelt in Tae Know Do, and am a registered yoga teacher with a certificate in both ashtanga yoga and ChildLight yoga. I enjoy yoga and running, but if I had a day to myself, I would probably spend it baking and cooking. I love to make traditional recipes healthier, but still tasty.
My husband and I have two sons. My oldest is ten years old and soccer is a big part of his life, and our family, for 9-10 months of the year. My youngest is very creative and enjoys the fine arts. As a family we spend our winter weekends snowboarding, and our summer weekends at the lake.
Education and Professional Experiences
I graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Nutrition, and then graduated from St. Michael’s College with a M.S. in Business Administration.
To earn money for school, I worked as a waitress through both high school and college. After I graduated from UVM, I spent time at IBM as an administrative assistant, technical documentation specialist and eventually a marketing program manager. When my children were born, I did less marketing and more mothering. I continued to stay connected in various community committees, and then as the part-time Wellness Coordinator for the Colchester school district.
What has been your greatest learning experience? (in or out of school)
It’s very hard to pinpoint one learning experience as the greatest experience. My worst decisions are usually those that I look back on as providing me with the best real-life education possible. It is a culmination of “well, I could have done that differently!” that helps me make a better decision in a future situation. Currently, my learning experiences are focused on how to nurture my boys to be compassionate and educated humans. Not every decision has been a good one, but I am learning and evolving.
Who do you admire and why?
“I don’t care if I have to sit on the floor at school. All I want is an education and I’m afraid of no one.” – Malala Yousafzai. Malala is a young Pakistani activist for female education and won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, making her the youngest recipient of this award. When she was 14 years old, the Taliban believed she was such a threat that they attempted to assassinate her. The bullet that struck Malala almost ended her life, but it fanned the fire around the world that all children have a right to education. Malala believes that through education we can achieve peace. She wants the world to know that getting an education is important to conquer the ignorance and fear that thrives among those who choose to terrorize and wage war. After she was shot, she said, “I don’t want revenge on the Taliban. I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban”.
What do you love about your current WSD position and the WSD community?
I believe that decisions individuals make regarding their physical and mental well-being are the most important decisions they make””and it is easier when they have the knowledge to develop healthy habits. Taking care of yourself comes first; then you have the strength and ability to help others. Providing education and opportunities to prevent injuries and illness and to increase student endurance for life strengthens the wellness of our community as a whole.
My position as the Wellness Coordinator is a new one for the school district. But the WSD community has embraced my role here and made me feel welcomed. It is particularly helpful that, through the graduate expectations, the district recognizes the importance of wellness as an aspect of student learning. It considers the importance of the whole student, particularly the qualities of physical, social, and emotional well-being.