Question: How long have you worked in Lansing USD 469?
Answer: 9 years
Question: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and the role you have within the school district?
Answer: I oversee programming for special education, 504s, and students that are experiencing homelessness or are in foster care to ensure that their needs are met and the resources that they require to achieve their academic goals are in place!
Question: What do you enjoy most about your role and the work you do in the school district?
Answer: It's truly rewarding to know that what I do makes a difference in the lives of so many. I have the opportunity to be involved in so many different things that it's hard to choose just one; helping staff develop their skills through professional development and developing new programs for students are two that stand out above the others.
Question: When you're not working, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
Answer: Listening to podcasts, reading romance novels, watching a lot of tv, and working out (Peloton).
Question: What is something unusual about you that most people don't know?
Answer: I was a college athlete, and played basketball at Kansas Wesleyan University, and I'm in the hall of fame there!
Question: Could you share a particularly heartwarming or memorable experience you've had while working with students or colleagues?
Answer: In special education, especially in my role, I have the opportunity to see students over multiple school years. I have seen students that were not able successfully attend school due to challenging behavior that are now able to do so. Watching their confidence grow through the process always warms my heart.
Another memorable experience that I had was a gifted evaluation when I was a school psych. During the testing process, the student verbalized how they came to their answers, and I was blown away with their thought process! They received the highest score that I had ever seen- it was so fun to watch!
Question: What piece of advice would you like to offer to students to help them succeed and make the most of their educational journey?
Answer: We all have learning differences, and that's ok! Find the tools an strategies that help you achieve your goals, and use them to be the best you can be!