My love for seeing children thrive led me to my first career as a Marriage and Family Therapist. After six years in private practice, I decided to stay home with my son Will, now 18, and my daughter, Elissa, 23. Both of my children went to Loyola Elementary, Blach Middle School and Mountain View High, where I had the opportunity to actively help in the classroom and serve on the PTA. Loving the educational environment, I tried some substitute teaching, and after a long-term assignment decided teaching was for me! I added a teaching credential to my BA in Psychology and my MA in Psychotherapy, and now feel so fortunate to be working with the Los Altos School District. Having the opportunity to get to know my students on a deeper level, understand their unique learning needs and walk with them through the challenges of 5th grade has been one of my greatest pleasures. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy European travel with my husband, Carl, exercising with friends, staying active with my church, and searching for the best chocolate-chip cookies in town.