Born in Sumter, South Carolina on Shaw Air Force Base, I am the eldest of seven children. Attended elementary school in Baltimore, Maryland, grades 1-6. My family moved to California in 1966 and I started junior high school, 7th grade. The education system was two years behind Baltimore. In addition, California was more multi-cultural. As a result, I saw the opportunities and established myself as a good student.
I graduated with high honors from high school and received a four year academic scholarship to Cal State Fullerton (CSUF). After graduation, I taught science in a private high school for 7 years. In 1982, I married a wonderful man and we had two children. Being the first to go to college in my family, I wanted to succeed and so I chose to attend Mount Saint Mary's College for my Master's Degree and Teaching Credential while pregnant with my second son. After completing my Masters, I was hired to teach science at a public school and stayed for 19 years. In Eastvale since 2003, I was hired to teach science in the Riverside Unified School District middle school where I have been teaching for the past 15 years.
During my career as a classroom teacher, I have educated over 7,000 students. Outside of the classroom, I have many roles. I have been involved as a coach, Activities Director, Union Representative and past President of a Teacher's Association. I have also served in a variety of committees and organizations with the goal to inspire and prepare students to make a positive impact at home, school, and in their community.