About Me

Hello! I'm a teacher from the far North! I live and work on Barter Island. The local claim to fame is the large number of polar bears that come through each fall. I love these giant beasts and find myself blessed to witness them.

Here I am with a Nanuq!

I went to college with the intent of teaching upper elementary. All my research focused on it, all my classroom experience was third grade or higher, and all my collected materials were for big kids... next year will be my third year teaching preschool and my second teaching Kindergarten. Isn't life grand? I was so excited to be offered a position in the Alaskan Bush (a longtime dream of mine) that I was willing to overlook the fact that I couldn't get an older class. Honestly though I love my littles and I'm pretty sure they're the best class in the school! ;)

I try to make my units fun and challenging. In my classroom BIG words are totally the best - last year's fan favorite was hieroglyphics, before that it was chrysalis. I'm always looking for ways to introduce my kids to new ideas in a different and exciting way, though sometimes I get ahead of myself - had to slow down and explain the concept of a sidewalk (something we don't have in town) and found that it was more difficult than I imagined.

I have plans for three different sequences (though only one has been used) since a student can potentially be in my class for three years!

Besides teaching I also do some writing - although I'm the s-l-o-w-e-s-t writer ever, still working on a manuscript I started shortly after graduating... from high school! I would love to be published someday... but also get really nervous about sharing my work with others. I'm also into acrylic painting (which I need to do more often), photography, and READING. Oh how I love books. I have a separate book blog that mostly talks about the Newbery Award Winners - check it out!

Last but not least: Sonic Screwdriver!

I've got my Arctic cat to keep me company and let me tell you he is the sweetest, nicest most, well-behaved who am I kidding? He is a naughty and downright aloof stinker (but I love him). His favorite pastimes including eating anything that fits in his mouth, stealing pencils, pushing things off shelves, falling out windows, and attacking all signs of affection. He lives a hard life. What with owning three houses: his primary residence in Kaktovik, the recreational residence in Kaktovik (that my neighbors provide), and his summer residence in South Dakota.