Friday Knight Alumni Spotlight Q&A
Tell us about yourself. Where you live now, career, and/or family news. What have you been up to since you left Geneseo?
After graduation in '99, I taught in Chappaqua for two years, then my boyfriend (now husband) and I moved to Syracuse and I taught in Skaneateles for two years. I got my Masters in Literacy Education at SUNY Cortland in 2002. He got a job offer in Texas at Dallas Children's Hospital (he's a perfusionist on the heart surgery team), and we moved to Flower Mound, Texas in 2003. I taught here in Texas for many years and was also a curriculum specialist and school district administrator before earning my doctorate in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University in 2017. Now, I'm a professor in the department of Teacher Education at the University of North Texas. I have come full circle since Geneseo because I teach undergraduate and graduate education classes and love every second of my work! We also have an 11-year-old son who plays competitive select baseball, and it is truly the highlight of our lives to watch him have so much fun out on the field!
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by my son who is 11 and has an amazingly optimistic and joyful attitude about life. His excitement and enthusiasm for learning remind me why being an educator is worth every minute!
What talent would you most like to have?
I wish I was better at literally any sport!
What is the bravest thing you've ever done?
Moving to Texas in 2003 when my husband got a job here. I had never lived away from my family, I gave up an incredible teaching position, and we were literally starting over from scratch. We are still here, 18 years later!
Describe a perfect weekend.
Honestly, I love baseball tournament weekends where we get up early, pack up coolers and equipment, then spend the entire two days on the field. I am a baseball mom and I'm proud of it! The other moms and I are always saying there's no place we'd rather be than cheering our boys on the first base line!
Best advice you've received from a family member?
You're the only one who has to live your life, so don't let others influence the decisions you make that only affect you.
What is your most-used emoji?
It's probably a heart!
If you could only eat one item for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
NY pizza for sure!
What was your favorite concert or theater movie?
Smashing Pumpkins in Dallas in 2007. It was nostalgic and deeply reminiscent of my college days.
When you were a Geneseo student, where did you live?
Nassau freshman year, Niagara sophomore year, Wyoming junior year, and 50 Avon Road senior year!