You haven’t been here at NA long. How did you end up here?
Prior to coming to NA, I taught at Greater Latrobe (my alma mater) for five years. Before that, I was at Plum, McGuffey, and a school in Virginia called Fort Defiance High School. It was a bit of a journey to get here to NA but I couldn’t be happier.
What is your favorite course to teach?
Marketing, definitely. I find it to be the most fun because there are so many different facets to it. It also allows you to be creative and “think outside the box.”
What is it like teaching at NAI in the morning and NASH in the afternoon?
I actually really like it! It’s a great way for me to have students multiple years if they like the classes I teach and my teaching style. The crowds are a bit different for sure. 9-10th graders are still a bit unsure of themselves, and 11-12th graders are figuring out who they are and what they want to do with their lives. All together, I have taught K-6 and 9-12. The only grades I haven’t ever taught are 7-8.
What is your favorite movie of all time?
That’s a tough question, because I have a lot of favorites, but I’d have to say Clueless.
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, famous or not, who would it be and why?
My paternal grandfather, who passed away when I was 24. He and I were very close and I miss him all the time. I’d love to see and talk to him again. I hope he’d be proud of who I have become.
Tell us about your process like getting to NA from where you live? How far is the drive? What time do you have to wake up?
I currently live in Greensburg in Westmoreland County, which is about an hour away. I get up at 3:45am during the week to make sure I have enough time to let my dogs out, curl my hair, put on make-up, get dressed, and eat breakfast without feeling rushed. I have to take the PA Turnpike every day, which I don’t mind.
What do you like to listen to on the way here?
I love to listen to true crime and pop culture podcasts. And a lot of music. I love Taylor Swift and anything from the 90s and early 2000s.
Why did you want to become a teacher?
It took me a while to figure it out, but once upon a time I was a corporate trainer for Quaker Steak & Lube restaurants. Teaching other people how to serve, bartend, and host was really enjoyable. A lightbulb when off for me and I realized that I should be a teacher. I went back to school at IUP to get my Masters and teaching certification, and the rest is history.
What are three adjectives you’d use to describe yourself?
Personable, hard-working, and structured.
Where is your dream retirement location?
My husband and I aspire to retire to a warmer location—possibly South Carolina or Florida.
If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
folklore – Taylor Swift. Start to finish, it’s a masterpiece in my opinion.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
One of my very best friends is a former business teacher of mine. We reconnected when I started teaching at Greater Latrobe. She is the reason I studied business during my undergraduate years of college.
Do you have any pets?
Yes! Two dogs, and they are my babies. Gabi is a hound mix and Buddy is a border collie mix. We always rescue dogs versus buying them. If I ever won the lottery, I’d open a sanctuary for dogs and rescue as many as possible.
How do you spend your time outside of NASH?
I spend a lot of time with my husband and friends. I think it’s so important to spend quality time with the people you love and care about. I also like to go thrifting (most of my clothes are bought second-hand) and I love to travel.
What is your best moment from teaching so far?
I would have to say my best teaching moments usually come from students reaching out to me after graduation to tell me how helpful they found my class or how much they learned or how I had a positive impact on them. More than anything, I want to leave the world a better place than I found it.
