I am a mother of four amazing children and a wife to a pretty awesome guy. I grew up in Zimmerman and graduated High School from Elk River. I attended college in St. Cloud where I received my teaching degree. We got married shortly after that and moved to Fargo, North Dakota for four years. At the end of our tenure in Fargo, we moved back to Big Lake with our first child. A year later we built our family home, doing almost everything ourselves, and we lived there for 22 years. In 2019, after two years of hard work, I received my Masters’s Degree in Education. After a long hard decision a little over a year ago, we decided to sell our beautiful home our family grew up in and built a new home nearby.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
The Buff is one of my favorite places to eat. My favorite place to get my coffee is the new Ember Coffee shop.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We lived in Big Lake for 22 years and I started teaching at Liberty Elementary School in 2010.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
There are so many interesting people I have met in our community, whether it is family members of the students I have taught, the great staff I get to work with, or just family friends we have gained through our four children’s extracurricular activities.
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and what are their names?
We currently have two dogs, Ruby and Maggie and one cat, Lily.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
I would tell people in Big Lake to get involved in something they enjoy and find ways to give back to the community.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would really like to travel more! Our favorite trip was to Turks and Caicos, it is a beautiful place to relax. We would love to return there in the next year.
Q: What is your favorite current or former business in our community?
I enjoy supporting new businesses in the community so I have loved shopping at the boutique or any new business that opens.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I have noticed such great generosity in the community and recommend residents to be involved with volunteering when they can and to be proud of helping this community.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I believe I will still be teaching at Liberty Elementary and hoping to be watching future grandchildren!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am an avid gardener. I love to spend my time outside in my yard. I also love reading!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My own children and the children that I am blessed to have in my classroom. I want to show them that learning is never ending and fun!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of Big Lake?
Friendly, Quaint, Welcoming
