About

I wrote in my opening blog:

As a young child I had a favorite saying, “Every day the thing to do is learn a little something new.” In all the years since uttering that youthful sentiment, I find I still adhere to it as much now as I did then.  But at my current level of maturity and experience, I’d revise my words to something even simpler, “Being an effective educator means continuous learning.”  The exciting and boundless truth is that learning is academic and humanitarian, personal and public.

Learning is Growing will be my home to record my  reflections and new learnings. The name was inspired by the book Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. In this book Dr. Dweck introduces two mindsets, that of a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. I strive to keep learning a live everyday.

I am currently an Instructional Coach/Consultant at Northwest AEA in Sioux City, Iowa. I have facilitated ongoing professional development for the past eleven years. I have a strong foundation in the areas of curriculum, instruction and assessment with the use of data and student needs at the heart of all of my work. I strive to inspire teachers and students to discover their passions and develop their strengths. My current goal is to find an elementary principal position.

I am a Level 1 and 2 Trainer of Instructional Coaching. My training was with Dr. Jim Knight, author of Instructional Coaching. I, and my colleagues, would love to assist you in your instructional coaching needs.

I earned my Bachelors of Science degree in elementary education from Iowa State University and was an elementary teacher for 18 years. I have Masters of Arts in Teaching from Morningside College as well as a K-8 Reading Endorsement, K-12 ESL Endorsement and a PK-12 Principal/Special Education Supervisor License.

“Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will.”        ~Vernon Howard