I received my BS degree from Colorado State University in Mathematics and Education. I later went on to get my MBA from Syracuse University. And outside of my official school programs, I frequently take classes that interest me, because I love to learn!

I am a lifelong learner. I love to learn which really supports my ability to teach. I find that when I teach something, it helps me learn it at a much more complete and deeper level.

In order to learn, I have to break concepts down into their most basic parts in order to understand the concept. I've been told I ask too many questions and why would I want to know that?? But that's the level I need to break things down in order to learn.

As a result, I have great compassion for questions and ongoing inquiries in the attempt to learn and understand. Because I have been relentless in my need to understand, I can break concepts down, especially math, into very tangible pieces. I can relate most math concepts into day to day life which can really make it come alive and meaningful to the student. Math can be a bunch of confusing numbers and symbols all jumbled together, or it can be a language that concisely describes our day to day lives.

I received my Math Education degree along with my teaching certificate several years ago. I taught for a short time and then my career path took me into working as a mathematician and software engineer. I went on to get my graduate degree in Business Administration and have since owned my own Staffing Services business and invested in several small businesses.

I use my love of numbers, mathematics and the application of math in business every day. It serves me well in my business and as a teacher.

Very few educational systems require any kind of personal finance course and many parents are uncomfortable teaching money skills to their children. This is one of my passions... to help people understand how to manage their money wisely. How to budget so that they can have what they need to live day to day and also save money and invest. How to use credit wisely.

For me, how to manage money and learning math go hand in hand. The more a person understands the concepts of math and can see them operating in their day to day life, the fear of math will go away. Since money management deals with numbers also, comfort with math has a direct link to people learning and feeling comfortable and confident managing their own money.

The most important aspect of my teaching is creating a safe environment. An environment where the student knows they are safe to reveal their questions and speak freely about the stumbling blocks they run into while learning. In my presence, no one will ever be made to feel stupid for not understanding something. It is simply a learning opportunity. What is the source of the gap in understanding? And how can we creatively fill that learning gap? An open and collaborative environment between myself and the student are imperative for identifying where the gaps in learning are. And then the subsequent discovery in how to bridge those gaps so the "ah ha!" can happen and we can move on to the next learning step.

I am a huge nature lover. I live rurally and I love the unique silence that is found in the countryside. I love to walk in the trees and pastures, saying hello to all the animals I encounter. I love animals also! I live in the farmhouse that has been in my family for generations and we have 12 barn cats running around... 6 of them kittens. They are so cute!

I love to eat and try different foods. I love to share meals with friends. And I love to read. I am very contemplative and spend much time on my own enjoying nature, a cup of coffee or a good book.