Starting out at Corning Community College was not part of my original plan as a young seventeen year old high school graduate but life happens and circumstances dictated it. I would decide to stay at CCC and earn an A.S. in Liberal Arts in 1990, I enjoyed singing and competing in choral competitions and writing a bit while working two part-time jobs and attending classes there full time.  I discovered that we have a very affordable and highly respected college in our back yard! Then, I transferred and earned a Bachelors degree in Education and Social Sciences from Mansfield University, Pennsylvania 1993.  This was exciting for me as it was the same college where my Great Grandmother earned her Pennsylvania teaching certificate as she taught many years in a one-room schoolhouse in the early 1900s.  There is such a long and wonderful history at this University.  I have primary documents of my Great Grandmother's teaching career and first hand memories to recall as she role modeled working hard and overcoming things as difficult as living with no indoor plumbing or electricity or raising four girls as a single mother in the depression era and "losing" a husband to the horrors of war and what was then shell shock.  In retrospect, I learned so much from her. I did not realize it as a kid, but I did.
I also went on to earn my Masters degree in Special Education from The Sate University of New York at Binghamton in 1999.  Binghamton is another place rich in culture and opportunity to push yourself to learn and grow.  It was a challenging yet rewarding time I was so fortunate to have.


Prior to teaching, I worked for many years as a Social Worker, a case manager supervisor with emotionally disturbed youth, with adults having developmental disabilities or mental health conditions. Additionally, I was a teacher in the Elmira City School at Southside High School for about eleven years. Being very involved during those years as the adviser of Student Council and serving on various committees and school improvement teams in the district enabled me to grow as a professional and forge lasting ties to a community I consider a second home. 
One of my most favorite things to do is be a Mom. These days you may run into me as I am racing into piano or dance classes, a youth group of some sort, girl scout meetings or at various different school district events for my own kids or students including theater events, cross country meets, musical performances, soccer meets or (gasp) school dances.

I cant wait to learn more about all of you too!