My passion and success in the field can be directly attributed to the students and families I have had the privilege of working with over these many years. On most days I feel they have taught me more about this profession than any preparation program I ever attended. Their strength and will to succeed is truly inspirational!

I grew up in Fruitport, and being back working within the Districts is like coming home. I love the community, and being a part of a great team in the Eastern Service Unit. It is rare to find a group of people who genuinely care about the work they are doing, and you will find this all throughout the District. 

I am a Speech-Language Pathologist employed by the Eastern Service Unit.  I currently service children in the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) preschool programs at Fruitport and Orchard View schools.  

I am so excited to be working in Fruitport! Though I was not raised here, Fruitport has been the home to several generations of my family and has always given me a sense of community. Now, I am lucky enough to be a part of that community everyday!

There is nothing better than witnessing the spark when it ignites a passion for learning in a student. I first witnessed this igniting of a spark over twenty years ago while teaching swim lessons to children. They could enter the pool area afraid to even put their toes in the water and by the end of the session we had them jumping in and wanting more.

"I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride....No matter what they take away from me, they can't take away my dignity....Learning to love yourself. It's the greatest love of all!"

Since the beginning of my career I wanted to work with children and fortunately was hired by Fruitport Schools in August of 2016.  I work with the ECSE preschool programs and last year was the most rewarding year of my career!

"The body learns ten times faster than the brain and forgets ten times slower. If you want to change the brain, change the body." - Dr. Dave Richo

STRENGTH  doesn’t come from what you can’t do.  It comes from OVERCOMING the things you once thought YOU COULDN’T.

I am a believer in trying things before saying I can’t do something because all things are possible with a little hard work, and sometimes some modification. You never know if you can do something unless you try.

I truly feel that students of all abilities should have the opportunity to move and participate in school activities with his or her peers - this community supports this objective fully!

I very much enjoy spending time with students one-on-one or in small groups every day. Sometimes I’m able to support students in their classrooms, which might look like pulling them to a table in the back, or squatting down next to them as they work to complete their assignment.  It might even mean teaching a lesson to the whole class.