MY QUALIFICATIONS
Educator, Administrator, Board Member
I bring varied perspectives to Board discussions based on my years of experience in public education.
EDUCATOR
Started Rhinelander's early childhood special education program
Special education teacher, early childhood through grade 8 (16 of 19 years in Rhinelander)
Elementary classroom teacher (6 years)
Chairperson of the Task Force on Categorical Placement of Preschoolers for the Wisconsin Division of Early Childhood: adoption of Significant Developmental Delay added as a disability category for young children with disabilities
Testified before the state legislature to create an Early Childhood: Special Education license for teachers
ADMINISTRATOR
Director of Instruction for Tomahawk School District (6 years)
Consultant: provided workshops on monitoring students' progress, family engagement, and reading strategies throughout the state, and mentored area school leadership teams (9 years)
Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) 9 Director of Professional Development: strategies for teaching reading and working with English Language Learners
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RHINELANDER BOARD MEMBER
Vice-President, Chairperson of Instruction and Accountability Committee, member of Employee Relations Committee (15 years)
Co-Chairperson WI Council on Special Education (advises State Superintendent) and Wisconsin Association of School Boards representative on the Council (2021-present)
Testified at WI Joint Finance Committee in 2019 and 2021 & Senate Education Committee in 2014 and 2009 on the impact on district of the state budget & funding formula
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Member, Camp Manito-wish YMCA Board of Directors (2021-present)
Chairperson and Vice-chairperson of Nativity Parish Council following Nativity Parish formation
Chairperson of St. Joseph Parish Council during the decision-making period combining St. Joseph and St. Mary’s parishes
AWARDS AND EDUCATION
WI DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD
WI Division of Early Childhood Council for Exceptional Children: Outstanding Service Award (1978), andÂ
Recognition of Outstanding Service for 2 decades of service to children and families (1996)
PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
Citizen Ambassador Program Participant (established by President Eisenhower to promote dialogue and understanding between US professionals and professionals from different countries); discussed Early Childhood Special Education issues with university, government and school leaders in Budapest, Moscow, and Prague (1992)
DEGREES AND LICENSES
Master and Bachelor degrees in Special Education UW-Whitewater
License: Director of Instruction and Director of Pupil Services Marian University
License: Elementary Education Teacher UW-Superior