I grew up in West Plains, MO where I met many missionaries who came to speak at my father's church and read many books geared for kids by missionaries.  From there, I gained my interest in culture and traveling abroad.  I also knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in Kindergarten.  I went to MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS where I obtained my education degree.  Upon graduating, I taught 6th grade reading and communication arts for 7 years in Farmington, MO.  I started working on my Master's in TESOL (Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages) through Southeast Missouri State University. Then I took a year leave of absence and taught 4th grade at an English-speaking Christian school in Quito, Ecuador.  After that year, I moved to Lee's Summit, MO in 2007 and have been teaching ESL/ELL since then for K-6.  I love my job and my students in which I learn so much from.  There are currently almost 60 students that another teacher and myself share.  Of the 60, there are 10 languages and 12 countries represented.  Lots of diversity!