Where I've Been

I was born and raised and have lived my whole life in New Jersey.  I grew up in the northern part of the state and have moved progressively farther south until I landed on the edge of the Pine Barrens, in Medford, where I've lived for 27 years.  My husband and I share our home with our 10-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Kiva.

My Life as an Educator

In 1995, I started my first job as a Library Media Specialist in Mt. Laurel's brand new Hartford school.  I taught information skills to more than 1000 5th and 6th graders a year. When the school got so big that I started to see teachers in the halls that I didn't recognize, I knew it was time to move on! Now I'm in a smaller school where I enjoy working with older kids (7th and 8th grade) as well as 5th and 6th graders. 

I love my job!  In fact, I love research-- and I've had some neat experiences working with researchers outside of the library and classroom. For instance, I've worked as a volunteer on several Earthwatch research projects. In October 2001, I was lucky enough to be sent to New Mexico for a week as the online teacher host of an archaeological dig sponsored by Earthwatch and Scholastic. Each day, I posted an update of what we were doing and learning at the site. Kids thought it was pretty cool and I had a blast (despite digging all day and then typing on my laptop in my tent until all hours at night!). You can see the results at Scholastic's Prehistoric Pueblos site. In March 2006, I spent two weeks in AFRICA studying the endangered Grevy's Zebra. I shared my experiences with students at OMS via satellite telephone and an online travel journal.

When I'm Not Working

When I'm not working, I may be thinking about what to do during the summer, or during the next vacation.  My undergraduate degree is in Recreation, and I like to be outdoors.  I also like to participate in field research and I've been a crew member on archaeological digs in the Southwest and in Virginia, and have helped wildlife researchers study coyote packs in Yellowstone National Park.  Volunteer work is important, too, and I've helped the Sierra Club construct shade shelters in Chaco Canyon National Park and fences in the Grand Canyon during spring and summer vacations.  I live for Summer vacation, which includes lots of long bike rides to train for the 150 mile MS 150 City to Shore bike tour each fall. Some of my best summer vacations have been long canoe trips with fellow teachers including a 7-day trip on the Missouri River in Montana (ala Lewis & Clark) and a 10-day trip on the Green River through Utah. In 2008, I was reintroduced to backpacking and hiked from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim, camping along the way. A stop at the Appalachian Trail headquarters in Harper's Ferry this past summer has gotten me thinking about hiking the Appalachian Trail. I'd have to do it a few weeks at a time over several summers. My husband is hoping this is just a passing fancy!

But enough about me! Please drop by the Media Center and tell me about YOU!

 

revised 8/29/09