A La Miradan returns...
It's nice to be back in La Mirada, since I grew up here. I attended Rancho Elementary, McNally Jr. High, and Neff High School (ask some other old-timers about Neff!) Though I do wonder, since all my schools here in La Mirada have closed, should I worry about my college?
At CSU Fullerton I minored in French, and my major was Thematic Liberal Studies: A Comparative Analysis of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, and the Influence of Religion and Politics on Art and Literature. A very long title for a major, but it encompassed some of my favorite things: literature, art, and history. I am currently completing my Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Cal State Fullerton.
Teaching is my passion, but I haven't always been a teacher. After college I worked at the Los Angeles Times for 14 years selling advertising. I loved working at the paper, but I knew it wasn't right for me. I went back to school and earned my credential through National University, quit my job at the Times, and began student teaching. I started with Norwalk-La Mirada USD in the Fall of 2000, and seven years later I received my Masters in Education Administration at Concordia University.
To give you a little background about my teaching experience before coming to Benton, I taught 5th grade for 10 years at Sanchez Elementary in Norwalk. I have served on the District's GATE Advisory Committee, and for four years I taught Math & Science and served as the Site Administrator for the Middle School Summer GATE Academy at Cerritos College.
I love History and try to spend most summers attending various history seminars and classes such as an institute on The Constitution through the Bill of Rights Foundation at George Washington's Mount Vernon, and the Colonial Williamsburg Teachers' Institute.
I enjoy reading, visiting museums, and gardening. I am married, and have two daughters: Paige is earning her Masters in Sociology at CSU Fullerton and Camilla, a very talented artist, is studying at Fullerton College. I have three cats and a very large English Mastiff -she's over 170 lbs.!
I'm looking forward to getting to know all the students and families here at Benton, and know that we'll have a great year together.
At CSU Fullerton I minored in French, and my major was Thematic Liberal Studies: A Comparative Analysis of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, and the Influence of Religion and Politics on Art and Literature. A very long title for a major, but it encompassed some of my favorite things: literature, art, and history. I am currently completing my Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Cal State Fullerton.
Teaching is my passion, but I haven't always been a teacher. After college I worked at the Los Angeles Times for 14 years selling advertising. I loved working at the paper, but I knew it wasn't right for me. I went back to school and earned my credential through National University, quit my job at the Times, and began student teaching. I started with Norwalk-La Mirada USD in the Fall of 2000, and seven years later I received my Masters in Education Administration at Concordia University.
To give you a little background about my teaching experience before coming to Benton, I taught 5th grade for 10 years at Sanchez Elementary in Norwalk. I have served on the District's GATE Advisory Committee, and for four years I taught Math & Science and served as the Site Administrator for the Middle School Summer GATE Academy at Cerritos College.
I love History and try to spend most summers attending various history seminars and classes such as an institute on The Constitution through the Bill of Rights Foundation at George Washington's Mount Vernon, and the Colonial Williamsburg Teachers' Institute.
I enjoy reading, visiting museums, and gardening. I am married, and have two daughters: Paige is earning her Masters in Sociology at CSU Fullerton and Camilla, a very talented artist, is studying at Fullerton College. I have three cats and a very large English Mastiff -she's over 170 lbs.!
I'm looking forward to getting to know all the students and families here at Benton, and know that we'll have a great year together.