Geography

About the Teacher
Welcome to social studies! This will be my ninth year teaching Geography at Morton Junior High School and my twelfth year in the teaching profession.  I am a proud graduate of Eureka College ’99 and the Olivet Nazarene University Masters in Educational Leadership Program ‘09. Throughout the year we will take a look at both the physical and cultural geography of North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and more.  Our class goal is a better cultural awareness by developing an understanding of the diverse beliefs and customs of the people of our planet.  During the year I will also be coaching Cross Country, Girls' Basketball, Scholastic Bowl, and Track.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have either in person, through e-mail or by phone.  I look forward to another great year of working with the best students in the world.

Science

About the Teacher
I am so excited to teach Morton's seventh grade students all about life and earth science!!!  I began my education as a Canton Little Giant and then earned my BS in Biology at Western Illinois University in 2001.  I completed my MA in Educational Administration at Governor's State University in 2008.  This will be my ninth year teaching... I began my career with 7/8 grade General Science in Metamora and then had the opportunity to teach Enriched Biology and Anatomy/Physiology at Richwoods High School.  Although I truly enjoyed each experience, I feel that MJHS is the perfect fit for me because I value the opportunity to educate the students of my own community!  This year, I will be involved with yearbook, student council, and the spelling bee.  I also stay busy with my family... my husband and I have two daughters: Isabel (7 years) and Ashlen (5 years).   I am sure you will become quite familiar with them, as they love attending activities at MJHS!

Mission for the Class
My mission is to promote independent thinking and problem solving skills by teaching students to utilize the resources available to them (first and foremost... their BRAINS!!!).  Science is about constantly questioning the world around us and actively pursuing the answers to those questions!  I hope to provide students with a solid foundation of the basic concepts of life and earth science, as well as the skills necessary to independently think about, and explore science in an organized and effective manner.

Language Arts

I think reading, bicycling, gardening and golf are fun. Cooking rivals art as my passion---unfortunately for my figure,I enjoy eating what I cook, too! I love to laugh and be around people who make me do it. Life is good.

Here's why language arts is important:
...because understanding words and how to use them effectively leads to a broader understanding of yourself and others.....because words and the ability to use them to express ourselves is what makes us human.....because with an appreciation for language comes the responsiblity of using it well. Words are powerful. They have the ability to inspire, to wound, and to calm. Words can express love and hate, beauty or ugliness,joy and sorrow. To create with words is special. To read what others have created....well, on a rainy day, it doesn't get much better than that.