Room(s): 124-Classroom

Phone Number(s): 252-3941

Bios:

The moderate/severe educational program in room 124 at Ingraham High involves the coordination of school, family and community activities to meet each student’s post-school needs. Our philosophy is to facilitate the teaching of individual skills while elevating each student’s self esteem and sense of self worth. Vocational training, life skill training, and communication are taught throughout the day within both individual and group activities. There is an emphasis for each student’s IEP objectives to be learned as part of activities that are generalized throughout the school and community.

I grew up on our family farm on Whidbey Island where I have built a log home. My passions include traveling and backpacking.

I have worked in a variety of jobs. This wide range of jobs has given me perspective in all that I do in the classroom. Some of these jobs have included: my own janitorial business, commercial fishing in Alaska, ship yard welding, trucking, farming, pharmacy assistant, sales, and counseling.

I graduated from the University of Washington with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. I obtained my Masters from City University in education with an emphasis on technology. I have taught in both private and public school in a variety of educational settings. Some include: teaching in at a small eastern Washington school where I taught science 7-12, the teaching of chemistry and biochemistry at Seattle Preparatory School, and the teaching of math in an urban alternative school.

I received my special education endorsement from SPU. After obtaining my endorsement I helped open up the first long-term rehabilitative care facility for head injured adults in Washington state where I was educational director and manager. I started working at Ingraham High in the CBT program in 1992.

I became department head of the CBT program in 2002. Since then we have moved from 2 classrooms to 6. I am proud of the vision that we have all worked towards since I have become department head: an integrated teaching environment throughout our department where teachers share resources and where students are taught their individual needs by all in the department.

GO RAMS!