Department/Years at Stout: School of Education; Stout is in my blood! I have been at Stout since 1988. My story began when I entered the B.S. in Business Administration program. I started taking courses the summer right after high school graduation. Then, my program director Maureen Munger recommended I pursue the M.S. in Training and Development and I took her advice. I continued into the Ed.S. in Career and Technical Education after I was hired as a full-time teacher in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). I left the WTCS to teach teacher education and be a program director at Stout.
What do you like most about UW-Stout? I value the education I earned from three different program areas and that I now have the opportunity to give back to students, like me, who chose Stout. Stout students are able to apply what they learn to their life and world of work and they often return to Stout to pursue advanced degrees. Stout puts students first like no other institution does. Everyday I appreciate the opportunity to be a role model for learners and to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.
My daughters would tell you that their favorite thing about Stout is the Child and Family Study Center. All three of my girls attended preschool there. Their elementary teachers have said they can tell when children have gone through Stout’s preschool program because the children usually perform at or above grade level when the reach elementary school. My girls have also participated in play therapy through the School of Education’s graduate degree programs and have formed lasting bonds with some wonderful graduate students.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy walking, biking, watching movies, traveling, and spending time with my husband, Andres who is from San Andres Island, Columbia and my three daughters, Jada, Brenna, and Macy.
What is your favorite class to teach? My favorite class to teach is Teaching Methods. It is exciting to see how much learners improve their teaching through practice and value teaching as a learning profession.
What makes for a successful student in your area? Successful students in education programs are individuals who value learning and are flexible and can adapt to change. They are also organized, self-directed, and have strong computer and interpersonal skills.
How did you get interested in your field? I always knew that I’d become a teacher. From a very young age, my favorite day of the year was the first day of school. It is fun to look back at all of the first day of school photos that depict me standing in front of our house with my backpack and lunch box. Although I often got in trouble for talking in class, I used to teach to my dolls and plan my weekly wardrobe on a small chalkboard in my bedroom. When I was in middle school, I gave baton lessons to elementary aged girls. In high school, my business teacher told me that I should go into business education and, although I knew she was right, I chose to gain work experience in the field of business first. I began teaching at Chippewa Valley Technical College without any teaching experience or education. It just came natural to me. Now, on a daily basis, I strive to improve my practice of teaching and continue learning about the many complexities of the profession.
What have your students taught you? My students have taught me to never be surprised by anything. Learning environments are both exciting and unpredictable at times and that is what makes teaching and learning so rewarding.
What book is on your nightstand right now? The last version of my doctoral dissertation (which will be published in book form some day)
Where is the most exciting place you’ve visited or done research? I worked one contract as a shipboard revenue accountant for Carnival Cruise Lines. During the first months of that position, I was in San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten every week. After the ship caught on fire, I was transferred to San Pedro, California where I traveled to Mazatlan, Puerta Vallerta, and Cabo San Lucas every week. The cultural diversity I experienced while working on board ship was fascinating! Now I enjoy traveling to London to visit my pen pal of 27 years. My daughters and I are planning a trip to London, Paris and New York for my daughter’s 10th birthday in 2007. My teaching and research has enabled me to attend and present at conferences all over the United States and I would love to teach in Scotland in a future semester.
What advice would you give to an incoming student? Go to class, participate in class (because you’ll be asking me for a reference some day), study and work hard, take time to have fun, think for yourself and make good choices.