I have always loved working with children. When I was a sophomore in high school, I worked on a service project at our local elementary school and just adored all the time I spent with the kids so much that I applied for a job at the extended day care. I would quickly rush from the end of my school day to my new job, with kindergartners and first graders, which entailed finding fun read alouds, creating new games, and building after school relationships. I just knew when I entered the University of Utah, I would be graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. I enjoyed every moment of my time in the program, including a new job as a reading aide. I have a passion for all the subjects I teach, but reading has such a special place in my heart. Teaching second grade, you have the incredible opportunity to watch students move from ‘learning to read’, to ‘reading to learn’. I have been teaching for 11 years and joined the LASD community in 2017. I have loved getting to know this wonderful community through my time teaching second and third grade. I currently live in Santa Clara with my husband and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of our daughter at the end of September. While I know our lives will change dramatically, I could not be more excited to meet this little one! Hopefully, I’ll still find some extra time to enjoy cooking, hiking, gardening, and reading. I look forward to this year and all of its new adventures!