Welcome, Students!

I'll be your teacher this semester for Reading and Writing in the Media. In addition to being BEHS's librarian, I am also an English teacher this year, and I'm looking forward to sharing my experience as a library media speciialist, English teacher, and professional writer as we work together to explore the history of the mass media and its impact on our lives and culture.

My Background
I grew up in Bellingham and attended Bellingham High School. I graduated from Washington State University with a degree in English and education and minors in Spanish, psychology, and learning resources. I taught at Nooksack Valley High School for eight years before getting a job at BEHS. I've been here for 13 years, mostly as librarian, but I've also taught psychology and several English classes. I also took a year off to write for a (now cancelled) television show called Veronica Mars. It's a really fun show, and you can access it online via Netflix and some other places.

Who I Am When I'm Not a Teacher/Librarian
I love teaching and being a librarian, and I also love the life I live outside of school as the hu-mom to a 105-pound Bernese Mountain Dog named Frida and a cranky cat named Andale. I live in Bellingham, where I spend much of my time doing art projects, sewing, reading, bicycling, and spending time with my roommates and other friends.

I am HUGE believer that physical fitness ought to be a top priority in any individual's life. It has been said that "our bodies are apt to be our biographies," and I live that belief every day. You will hear me talk about how important exercise is for our bodies AND our brains. Regular exercise keeps me--and it will keep you-- alert, happy, and it will increase blood flow to your brain, making you better able to think clearly, solve problems effectively, appreciate complex ideas, and learn new information and skills. 

What I Believe

• I believe our lives are precious and powerful. Everyday I wake up grateful for the life I lead and the opportunities available to me. EVERYDAY is a chance to learn, grow, think, play, help, laugh, and enjoy. I believe this is true of your life, too.

• I believe that a person must decide what to be, and go be it. Focus your physical and mental energies of that goal all day, everyday. Build your life around that vision. Waiting around for approval or permission is just that—waiting. And waiting isn’t doing.

• I believe that writing stuff down makes all the difference in the world. The process of maintaining a record of your daily exercise keeps you honest and helps you measure progress; keeping a log of the books you read creates a history of your reading achievement; making a list each day of the things you're grateful for  writing stuff down makes all the difference in the world. Keep a record of the books you read. Maintain an exercise log so  you'll know you're staying on track. Make a list each day of the things you're grateful for. Share notes of encouragement and gratitude with friends and family members.