It takes a teacher ...

While there's certainly no shortage of public education experts in Texas, what is often lacking is the unhindered voices of teachers themselves.

Welcome to my blog, in which I hope to provide a common-sense, from-the-classroom perspective to myriad of issues facing K-12 education in Texas and what can be done to improve the learning experiences of a majority of Texas children.

A little about me: I was the 2020 Republican nominee for State Board of Education Place 5. As such, I learned a lot about Central and South Texas, logging in hundreds and hundreds of miles as I met with my would-be constituents. A large part of what I learned while running for SBOE is what I hope to explore on this blog.

By trade, I'm a speech-language pathologist, small-business owner, musician, volunteer, and most important of all, a passionate educator. I have spent my life serving Texas students, including working 16 years in public schools (four in inner city schools) and 11 years in private school. I focus primarily on children with autism and particularly those with social communication deficits. I currently work with students with disabilities in Northside Independent School District in San Antonio.

Education is in my blood. From my parents, I gained an appreciation for the principles of hard work and dedication, which I applied to achieve a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Baylor University.  I hold a teaching certificate in Texas and a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech Pathology from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

I developed a social skills curriculum that is designed for students with autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, ADHD and other disorders that might result in social communication deficits. I also produce music and visuals to teach speech, language and social skills.

As well as working as a speech-language pathologist, I've invested in students’ lives by teaching elementary music, middle school theater arts, classical guitar, as well as coaching cheerleading and directing high school show choir performances.  My show choir students and classical guitar students consistently earned a I (the highest score given) at the Texas State TAPPS music competition.

While teaching music, I took part in the National Anthem Project. I worked with Governor Perry and State Representative Frank Corte to designate the state of Texas as a National Anthem State. As part of this project, I led more than 100 students and their families to Washington D.C. to sing the National Anthem with thousands of students from across the United States. During that time, I was honored to be a national finalist for the teacher of the year award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which recognizes teachers for their commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism.

I have spoken at a variety of conferences and conventions in Texas, regionally and nationally. She has presented at the Texas Speech-Language and Hearing Association Convention, Texas Autism Conference, Texas Behavior Support State Conference, Texas Assistive Technology Conference, Texas Music Educators Association Convention, The Southwest Region of American Music Therapy Association Conference and the American Music Therapy Association Conference.

With all that spare time, I manage two businesses: one of which produces music to help improve speech, language and social skills, and the second produces materials and curriculum to teach social skills. I wrote a musical score for a musical play performed by students with special needs. Each summer, I work at a camp for students with special needs.

As a community activist, I helped to found Hill Country Conservative Neighbors, and I have served as a precinct chair since 2012. I have attended all except one Republican state convention since 1996.

I have been married for 38 years to my high school sweetheart, David, who is a Pediatrician and Air Force veteran. Together, we have five children; four of whom are educators in Texas public schools, and one who is an oral surgeon in the United State Air Force. David and I enjoy traveling and spending time with our five grandchildren.

As a lifelong worship leader, I can be found on many Sundays singing in the choir with Oak Hills Church in San Antonio.

Now it's your turn! Feel free to comment on any of my posts and let me know what you think. I look forward to getting to know you and others who share a passion for teaching.