I have been a certified teacher since 1999 in Huntsville City Schools. My first year I taught 4th grade, but every year since I have been a Gifted Specialist. My favorite subjects to teach are math, reading, and science, and whatever my students would prefer to learn.
My husband and I have two married sons and six grandchildren . Those who know me realize that the six service dogs we have raised for Canine Companions for Independence are family as well. Newton has rejoined our family after working as a facility dog in the Orange County School System in Florida as an Adaptive PE aide. He now works with Mrs. Zupko as a Therapy Partner. He brings joy to students at Weatherly, especially the second graders who come and read to him, as well as patrons at the Fox Army Health Center, which they visit twice a month.
I am a NOAA Teacher at Sea alumna, having served as a scientist aboard the Pisces in 2011, studying deep-water coral off the eastern coast of Florida. I was invited to sail again in 2014 aboard the Henry B. Bigelow, working on the Autumn Trawl Survey. These events have been a marvelous addition to my hands-on and research-based teaching methods, especially focusing on science.
People often use the words service-oriented and life-long learner to describe me. I began my service in the United States Army as a Russian linguist, joining while still in high school, and taking many classes at the university during my off time. After moving to Alabama, I earned a BSBA in Marketing with a minor in Russian, then completed my Masters in Administrative Science in Management at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. My husband and I have two sons, and I worked as a substitute teacher for several years to be at home with them. This worked so well, I was able to work at Weatherly as the Science Lab Instructor for three years, writing and gathering the curriculum for hands-on activities for grades K-5. I pursued and earned my Master of Education degree from Alabama A&M University followed by an Education Specialist degree in Special Education (Gifted) from the University of Alabama. I completed my Education Leadership certification from the University of Alabama in May 2017.
If you would like to refer your child for GATE at Weatherly, please email me.
My husband and I have two married sons and six grandchildren . Those who know me realize that the six service dogs we have raised for Canine Companions for Independence are family as well. Newton has rejoined our family after working as a facility dog in the Orange County School System in Florida as an Adaptive PE aide. He now works with Mrs. Zupko as a Therapy Partner. He brings joy to students at Weatherly, especially the second graders who come and read to him, as well as patrons at the Fox Army Health Center, which they visit twice a month.
I am a NOAA Teacher at Sea alumna, having served as a scientist aboard the Pisces in 2011, studying deep-water coral off the eastern coast of Florida. I was invited to sail again in 2014 aboard the Henry B. Bigelow, working on the Autumn Trawl Survey. These events have been a marvelous addition to my hands-on and research-based teaching methods, especially focusing on science.
People often use the words service-oriented and life-long learner to describe me. I began my service in the United States Army as a Russian linguist, joining while still in high school, and taking many classes at the university during my off time. After moving to Alabama, I earned a BSBA in Marketing with a minor in Russian, then completed my Masters in Administrative Science in Management at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. My husband and I have two sons, and I worked as a substitute teacher for several years to be at home with them. This worked so well, I was able to work at Weatherly as the Science Lab Instructor for three years, writing and gathering the curriculum for hands-on activities for grades K-5. I pursued and earned my Master of Education degree from Alabama A&M University followed by an Education Specialist degree in Special Education (Gifted) from the University of Alabama. I completed my Education Leadership certification from the University of Alabama in May 2017.
If you would like to refer your child for GATE at Weatherly, please email me.