Where did you grow up?
I grew up here in North Allegheny. I went to Peebles Elementary, Carson Middle, NAI, and then NASH.
Where did you go to college, and what did you study?
After going to a large high school, I wanted to try a smaller college experience, so I chose Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA, where I earned my bachelor’s in psychology and business administration. I then went to Indiana University of Pittsburgh (IUP) for my master’s in School Counseling.
How long have you worked in the education field?
I have been a school counselor since 1996. I started off as an elementary school counselor and then moved up to senior high school. I loved my years at elementary school, but I really love working with juniors and seniors.
Was your goal always to become a counselor or did you have other aspirations?
I always wanted to be a veterinarian since I was little. I love animals, and I wanted to help them. It wasn’t until I did a shadow study with a veterinarian when I was in high school that I realized I was not cut out to be one, as I almost passed out in the operating room. I loved my psychology class I had here at NASH, so I decided to pursue psychology [in college]. I knew I would have to get more education with a psychology bachelor’s degree, so I double majored in business administration to have a degree to work with while I decided what I wanted to do in the psychology field. After college, I worked at ALCOA for a year in their accounts payable department until I decided I wanted to be a school counselor.
What is your favorite part about working at NASH?
I love working with students at this pivotal time in their lives. It is an honor to be able to help students explore post-secondary options and be there when they decide what they want to do after high school.
What are some hobbies you indulge in during your free time?
I love to bake. I am obsessed with all of the baking challenges on TV, and the bakers on those shows inspire me to try new ideas.
What are three adjectives you would use to describe yourself?
I ask students to do this to help me write their college letters; it isn’t always easy to describe yourself. I would say I am dependable, considerate, and loyal.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
My perfect day would be sitting by my lit Christmas tree under a cozy blanket with a fire in the fireplace and watching the snowfall outside while listening to Christmas music.
Favorite vacation or adventure you have been on?
My daughter attends the University of Tampa, and I have fallen in love with the city of Tampa. I’d love to retire in that area someday.
If you could swap lives with anyone in the world, who would it be?
I don’t want it to seem like I am taking the easy way out, but I wouldn’t want anyone’s life but mine. I love my family, my job, my dogs, and my life. My life is not perfect, but it is mine. Even though it may seem like others may have it better, chances are they have their own struggles and issues that I wouldn’t want.
What is your all-time favorite movie or book?
My favorite book series is Harry Potter. I started to read the series when my daughter read them in elementary school, and I have been hooked ever since. We would read a book together and then watch a movie after each book was finished. The books were definitely better than the movies, but I loved the movies as well.
