I was born in 1971 in Wabasha, Minnesota. I was lucky enough to grow up on my family’s dairy farm that was first purchased by my great-grandfather in 1919.  This farm is still owned by my father today.

 

I attended St. Felix Elementary School.  In 1990, I graduated from Wabasha-Kellogg High School.  I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with minors in History and Economics from the College of St. Catherine in 1994.  I graduated Magna Cum Laude and became a member of Phi Beta Kappa during my college career.  I returned to Southeastern Minnesota to have the opportunity to be a part of my brother, Jason’s, school life.  (He is the baby of the family and almost 12 years younger than I am.)  I received a Masters of Instruction from St. Mary’s University in 1997.  (The best part was I can count on one hand the number of Jason’s events I missed while he was in middle school and high school.)

Growing up on a farm meant that I was put to work at a very early age.  My sister Karen and I would have to help feed the calves, bale hay, and do other farm chores before we were really even old enough to go to school.  As we grew older our responsibilities increased, and you would think that stacking hay in 100 degree heat would be enough to make us want to leave the farm, but it did not.  We both came back every summer from college to help.

 

Stacking hay may be good for the muscles, but it is not very good for the pocketbook.  To earn money both Karen and I worked at a restaurant many of you may remember, Dumfries.  Yes, we were Dumfries girls.  We both worked there around 15 years so if you ate at Dumfries I was probably your cook or bartender and Karen was your waitress after we both put in our time as dishwashers.

 

Dumfries was one of the truly great jobs of my life.  I worked with and for amazing people, and when you move onto another job you wonder if you will have that same type of experience.  Shortly after I began teaching at Winona Senior High in 1998 I knew I would have another incredible experience.  It has been an honor to work on such a high quality staff, but it is still the students that bring me back everyday.  We learn and laugh together. 

 

Teaching has opened up other doors for me.  I have served on numerous committees and been a chief negotiator several times.  I have also had the opportunity to work with teachers in other districts through Education Minnesota field work.  These experiences have allowed me to see the complex issues that face so many communities as they work to provide their young people with the best education possible.

 

In 2006 I had an amazing opportunity.  I became a bone marrow donor.  About 10 years earlier I registered with the National Bone Marrow Program, and it had slipped my mind that I had registered until I received a call saying I was a potential match.  After several medical tests, it was determined that I was the best match.  On October 27, 2006 I donated my marrow to a man dying from leukemia.  It was completely anonymous.  I still do not know who the man was or where he lived.   I mention this in the hope that you will consider registering with the National Bone Marrow Program.  This is a wonderful lifesaving program.  Please visit www.marrow.org for more information.

 

The cornerstone of my life is my family.  I have tremendous parents, Dave and Mary.  I already mentioned my brother and sister.  Karen and her husband Dan have 3 wonderful boys Jacob, Justin, and Joshua.