I currently teach K-4 music at Dawn Elser Elementary School, Central District 104 in O'Fallon ,Illinois.
Before moving to Illinois, I taught K-2 music and co-taught 6-12 grade band and choir in Frederick, Oklahoma. I have the privilege to teach with Mrs. Carisa Schreiner, the 2019 Excellence in the Arts Teacher of the Year for the State of Oklahoma. Together we directed Grease, Frozen, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Shrek. In addition we prepared students for contest each year earning multiple one ratings for solos, ensembles and large group performances. Frederick students are the best!
Prior to moving to Oklahoma, I was teaching at Richards R-V School. At Richards I taught K-6 general music as well as beginning band, 7-8 band, 6-8 Choir and other music electives. Prior to coming to Richards, I taught K-8 music at Junction Hill School in West Plains, MO for seven years as well as 7-12 grade Choir at Ozarks Christian Academy. I was an assistant with the West Plains High School Marching Band leading their auxiliary performers. I also give private voice and flute lessons.
Before returning to West Plains in 2000, I taught 7-12 grade Choir at Salem R-80 in Salem, MO (1997-2000). I was the Youth Director at Platte Woods Methodist Church in Kansas City, MO (1996-1997) and the Program Director at the First United Methodist Church in West Plains, MO (1993-1996).
Prior to teaching at Junction Hill School I worked at the First United Methodist Church of West Plains, MO first as the Youth Director (2000-2003), then as the Children's Director (2003-2006). As Children's Director my team & I revamped Sunday School to use the Rotational Sunday School model which utilizes all eight types of learning styles and the five senses. We revitalized our Vacation Bible School and opened Friendship Circle Daycare to accompany the already established Friendship Circle Pre-school. Each of those ministries is still going strong today.
During my college years and beyond I had the joy and privilege of spending my summers singing at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Under the direction of Dr. Glenn Draper I sang with the Lake Junaluska Singers and the Glenn Draper Singers. The Lake Junaluska Singers is a 16 voice ensemble that performs every genre of music for a wide variety of audiences. Performances are at the 2,000 seat Stuart Auditorium on beautiful Lake Junaluska. Musically, it was an experience that surpasses all! Thanks to Dr. Draper, I have performed at a variety of venues throughout the United States and Europe. Some performance highlights include the 1996 Summer Olympics, the White House, the Queen of Finland and Bishop Desmond Tutu.
I received my Bachelors in Music Education in 1993 from Central Methodist University, Fayette, Missouri. I earned my Masters in Educational Administration in 2010 and completed my Specialist Degree in 2014, both from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. With a focus on education and emphasis in flute, I am certified in Missouri, Oklahoma and Illinois as K-12 vocal and instrumental music teacher and K-12 principal.
As a music educator I feel it is my responsibility to expose students to as many different kinds of music as possible. While students may not care for a particular genre of music, they still can learn to appreciate its unique quality when they are able to better understand the cultural and historical significance. A musician's goal is ultimately to perform a piece of music to perfection. The process of preparing for performance is where learning and growing take place. It is the responsibility of the teacher to teach the same concept in as many ways possible so that every student fully understands what is being taught. In presenting new concepts, I utilize Whole Brain Teaching and Mastery Teaching in my classroom. I strongly encourage active music participation for all students as it will benefit them in all aspects of learning.
I married my husband Scott on August 2, 1997 in St. Charles, MO. Scott is currently the Vice-President of Finance at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. We have two wonderful daughters who also love working with kids. As a family, we enjoy spending time together camping, boating, skiing and tubing. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and decorating. I especially love working in the yard with the shrubs and flowers and walking our dogs. We are blessed beyond belief and find it a joy and privilege to serve Christ in a humble attempt to honor Him for the many blessings He has given us.
Before moving to Illinois, I taught K-2 music and co-taught 6-12 grade band and choir in Frederick, Oklahoma. I have the privilege to teach with Mrs. Carisa Schreiner, the 2019 Excellence in the Arts Teacher of the Year for the State of Oklahoma. Together we directed Grease, Frozen, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Shrek. In addition we prepared students for contest each year earning multiple one ratings for solos, ensembles and large group performances. Frederick students are the best!
Prior to moving to Oklahoma, I was teaching at Richards R-V School. At Richards I taught K-6 general music as well as beginning band, 7-8 band, 6-8 Choir and other music electives. Prior to coming to Richards, I taught K-8 music at Junction Hill School in West Plains, MO for seven years as well as 7-12 grade Choir at Ozarks Christian Academy. I was an assistant with the West Plains High School Marching Band leading their auxiliary performers. I also give private voice and flute lessons.
Before returning to West Plains in 2000, I taught 7-12 grade Choir at Salem R-80 in Salem, MO (1997-2000). I was the Youth Director at Platte Woods Methodist Church in Kansas City, MO (1996-1997) and the Program Director at the First United Methodist Church in West Plains, MO (1993-1996).
Prior to teaching at Junction Hill School I worked at the First United Methodist Church of West Plains, MO first as the Youth Director (2000-2003), then as the Children's Director (2003-2006). As Children's Director my team & I revamped Sunday School to use the Rotational Sunday School model which utilizes all eight types of learning styles and the five senses. We revitalized our Vacation Bible School and opened Friendship Circle Daycare to accompany the already established Friendship Circle Pre-school. Each of those ministries is still going strong today.
During my college years and beyond I had the joy and privilege of spending my summers singing at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Under the direction of Dr. Glenn Draper I sang with the Lake Junaluska Singers and the Glenn Draper Singers. The Lake Junaluska Singers is a 16 voice ensemble that performs every genre of music for a wide variety of audiences. Performances are at the 2,000 seat Stuart Auditorium on beautiful Lake Junaluska. Musically, it was an experience that surpasses all! Thanks to Dr. Draper, I have performed at a variety of venues throughout the United States and Europe. Some performance highlights include the 1996 Summer Olympics, the White House, the Queen of Finland and Bishop Desmond Tutu.
I received my Bachelors in Music Education in 1993 from Central Methodist University, Fayette, Missouri. I earned my Masters in Educational Administration in 2010 and completed my Specialist Degree in 2014, both from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. With a focus on education and emphasis in flute, I am certified in Missouri, Oklahoma and Illinois as K-12 vocal and instrumental music teacher and K-12 principal.
As a music educator I feel it is my responsibility to expose students to as many different kinds of music as possible. While students may not care for a particular genre of music, they still can learn to appreciate its unique quality when they are able to better understand the cultural and historical significance. A musician's goal is ultimately to perform a piece of music to perfection. The process of preparing for performance is where learning and growing take place. It is the responsibility of the teacher to teach the same concept in as many ways possible so that every student fully understands what is being taught. In presenting new concepts, I utilize Whole Brain Teaching and Mastery Teaching in my classroom. I strongly encourage active music participation for all students as it will benefit them in all aspects of learning.
I married my husband Scott on August 2, 1997 in St. Charles, MO. Scott is currently the Vice-President of Finance at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. We have two wonderful daughters who also love working with kids. As a family, we enjoy spending time together camping, boating, skiing and tubing. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and decorating. I especially love working in the yard with the shrubs and flowers and walking our dogs. We are blessed beyond belief and find it a joy and privilege to serve Christ in a humble attempt to honor Him for the many blessings He has given us.