Welcome to my profile page! I invite you to speak with me directly if you have any questions regarding my background and philosophy.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

B.S. in Business Administration and Economics

Minor in Advertising Graphics

Notre Dame de Namur University, 1985

Multiple Subject K-12 CLAD California Credential, 2005

Basic Catechist Certification, Diocese of San Jose Department of Education, 2003

CAREER PROFILE:

Traffic Manager, Michael-Patrick Advertising and Design, San Francisco, CA 1985-1987

College Division Coordinator, Wadsworth Publishing Company, Belmont, CA 1987-1989

Sales Representative, Thomson Publishing Company, Belmont, CA 1989-1993

Systems Administrator/Training and Development, Thomson Publishing Company, Belmont, CA 1993-1995

Freelance Graphic Designer, 1995-1997

Teacher's Aide, St. Mary School, Gilroy, CA 1998-2003

Algebra Teacher, St. Mary School 2002-2003

Fourth Grade Science/Fifth Grade Religion Teacher, St. Mary School, Gilroy, CA 2003-2004

Seventh Grade Writing Teacher, St. Mary School, Gilroy, CA 2004-2005

Seventh Grade Religion Teacher, St. Mary School, Gilroy, CA 2005-Present

Seventh Grade Homeroom, St. Mary School, Gilroy, CA 2006-Present

Junior High History, St. Mary School, Gilroy, CA 2006-Present

Religion Coordinator, St. Mary School, Gilroy, CA 2005-Present

Technology Coordinator, St. Mary School, Gilroy, CA 2005-Present

Best Practices in Religion Committee, Dept. of Education, DSJ, 2007

Catechist Certification Committee, Dept. of Education, DSJ, 2008-Present

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY, MISSION, AND VALUES:

As a Catholic school educator, I am entrusted with the responsibility to perform my duties according to the teachings of the Catholic Church. I will make the well-being of learners the foundation of all my decisions and actions. In my classroom and school, learners become part of a community that emulates Jesus' example in proclaiming the Good News, His service to others, and His welcoming attitude to all.

My mission as a Catholic school educator is to provide learners with the tools necessary to help them achieve their highest potential as successful students, productive citizens of the world, and active members of the Body of Christ, the Church.

Values that Embody my Educational Philosophy:

Community and Partnership ~ We are all a part of a community of caring individuals who strongly believe that parents and caregivers are the child's primary educators. The school helps in facilitating the educational process by providing the environment suitable for learning. We need parents and caregivers to provide other intrinsic lessons in life, such as belonging to a household, or being proud of a culture or tradition.

Service (Citizens of the World) ~ I believe in living a life of service.  I began my career at St. Mary as a volunteer teaching science in my daughter's second grade classroom, and later as a volunteer aide in her third grade classroom. I see my experience and current service as a vocation rather than an occupation.

Message and Worship (Members of the Body of Christ) ~ In my classroom, I practice the traditions of the Church and use every chance to proclaim the Good News in situations that may come up involving confilcts or evidence of kind or just behavior, encouraging students to be messengers and evangelists of Jesus' Word in the way they deal with fellow students and teachers.

Independent and Lifelong Learners ~ Academic excellence is important, but preparing students to want to continue to learn is paramount. I believe in the importance of teaching students to love the idea of learning rather than just the knowledge gained from it.