Born a long time ago in Jackson, Michigan, I grew up merrily in the company of my siblings. The first 16 years of my education were in Catholic schools!
I began my formal education first at my home parish, Saint Mary, Star of the Sea. Later I earned my Bachelor’s of Arts with an Elementary Education minor at Mary Manse College, a liberal arts college with an honored tradition of excellence under the Ursuline nuns.
During my first 11 years in the classroom, I taught seventh and eighth grade students in several parish schools in the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. I next found myself at Notre Dame Academy, an all-girls college prep; during my decade there, I taught Honors English, Latin I-AP IV, Chorus, and Theology.
Intervening years found me studying Latin (MA from the University of Georgia), Medieval Studies (MA from the University of Toronto) and, most recently, History (PhD from the University of Toledo). I have served as chief administrator of K-8 schools on two occasions but much prefer classroom teaching! I have also taught college courses at several community colleges as well as at the University of Georgia, Hillsdale College and the University of Toledo.
The classroom is the place to be! Each year, I declare “This is the best year yet!” Perhaps I say that only because each current year is immediate, but I dare to think that the years of experience I bring to my teaching have seasoned me. In any case, I am proudest not of what I teach or where I teach. Rather, I derive vicarious pleasure from learning of the successes of my former students; among them I can now count a priest, a number of teachers (including Deanna, who teaches Latin at a Jesuit high school!), two medical doctors, several military veterans, and scores of genuinely good Catholic moms and dads. Of them I claim Saint Paul’s quotation, “You are my letter of recommendation.”
I make my home on The Hill, that storied initial Imperial Sugar community right here in the neighborhood of our school. I serve as volunteer docent for the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation and, in that capacity, sometimes guide tour groups through the neighborhood, pointing out architectural features while regaling my group with anecdotes from yesteryear. Since I live within walking distance of Constellation Field, I enjoy watching the Sugar Land Skeeters play home games. A couple of years ago I gave up my car and instead have procured a quite snazzy yellow bike. I’ve outfitted it with panniers, perfect receptacles for my Farmers’ Market purchases. I also try to coax my home garden into producing vegetables and flowers, the former to enrich my plate, the latter to grace my table. I share my tiny house (a 350-square-foot garage loft) with my boon companion, a charming rescue kitty who answers to the name “Pippa Anne” (and to the sound of food being poured into her bowl!). Life is indeed sweet in Sugar Land.
The current school year holds lots of promise: eager students, dedicated colleagues, supportive parents. How blessed am I to be here at Saint Theresa Catholic School!
