After graduating from high school, I attended SDSU for three years  with the intent of obtaining a political science degree before realizing that I truly wanted to teach. So I transferred to Huron College and graduated in 1987 with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education with areas of emphasis in language arts and social sciences.

After graduating, I began teaching country school in the Wall School District and was there for six years. After a couple of moves I began teaching for Crow Creek and was there for one year before coming to work in Title I in Highmore.  I taught Title I reading for four years and now instruct third grade.

In 2009, I completed my master's degree in curriculum and instruction with a math specialist endorsement in conjunction with the state's South Dakota Counts program. I am currently working toward a master's degree in education administration.