How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? I have 3 kids. Julian is 10, Josephine is 7 and June is 4. I moved to Westport in 2009. My husband grew up in Westport and actually attended Long Lots School, where I currently teach!
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? My career path didn’t start in education. I was working in NYC for a media agency called Mediavest. I handled the strategic planning of the advertising budget for Crest Oral Care products and Fixodent. I loved the company, my colleagues and my clients at Procter and Gamble, but I found myself lacking passion for my work and I was ready for a change. So, I left the busy streets of NYC and the late nights of advertising, and went back to school to receive my Masters in Teaching. While in school, I had the opportunity to intern and student teach at Saugatuck Elementary School. I learned so much from the teachers and administrators there, especially my mentor teacher, Ms. Kain. That summer a job opened up at Long Lots School and I have been in room 209 ever since….
What was your best memory from the last few COVID years, a strange time we know…COVID seems like 50 years ago at this point, especially the shutdown and the hybrid schedule. I had some very special moments with my family. I remember putting bells on my daughter June, who was 1.5 at the time, so I could hear where she was while I was teaching my students online and homeschooling my own children. My family and I would have Friday Dance parties to celebrate another week of homeschooling.
What is the best show you have recently (binge) watched? AND/OR what is the last book you read? Best show I recently watched…tie between Ted Lasso and Shrinking. Best book I just finished….Little Fires Everywhere.
What is one food you could not live without? Candy and Chips? Is that considered food?
What is one product you could not live without? Chapstick. I am never without my chapstick.
What is your greatest fear? Greatest Fear? How deep are we going here? I will keep it light. After our experience this summer with a late night ER visit for a rabies vaccine, I would say any rabid animal, especially bats. And, after growing up in the midwest, a room full of crockpots can also be very triggering.
Which talent would you most like to have? To be able to sing. Every time I see a Staples Players production, I am blown away by their talent and wish I had an ounce of what they bring to the stage.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I really enjoy sports and being active. I played tennis for the University of Colorado at Boulder and participated in triathlons after college. I completed a Half Ironman a month before my wedding. I hope to get back to racing one day and to complete a full Ironman. Also surprising, I am originally from Southern Illinois and our big senior activity was Donkey Basketball where we rode donkeys and played basketball in our gym.
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what might your career path might have been? I really think I found my place in education. However, I was always fascinated and proud of my dad’s work, so maybe a lawyer?
If you could travel to one place this next year, where would it be and why? Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri – My family has a small lakehouse there that I grew up going to and it is my happy place.
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted to do, what would it be? First, have a good night’s sleep. Enjoy coffee in silence. Spend the day outdoors with my family…with no arguing.
Are you a morning person, or a night owl? How does sleep fit into your life? I am definitely a morning person. Many friends know if they text past 10pm, I will respond the next morning by 5. I dabble in sleep. I am in bed early, wake up around 2am panicking about what I messed up that day, or forgot to do and the alarm goes off around 4:45.
What thing has surprised you most about being in the suburbs? Nothing surprises me anymore…
What is the first thing you do when you walk in the door after a long day? Hug my kids
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Who are your heroes in real life? Real life heroes – my parents and grandparents. They all started with very little and with a lot of hard work, became very successful both personally and professionally.
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Candy
Cook or order in? If my husband is cooking, home cooked meal!
Cake or Ice Cream? Both! Ice Cream cake!
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee? First thing in the morning: hot coffee, throughout the day: iced
Beach or Mountains? This is a tough one, but after attending University of Colorado at Boulder, I have to say the mountains. GO BUFFS!
Wine or a Cocktail (if cocktail, which one?) Love a good cocktail – spicy margarita, extra dirty martini, Gin and Tonic
Reading or writing? Reading
Before bed: Social media or book/TV? Neither, my eyes are shut the moment my head hits the pillow
Watch or play sports? These days, I probably watch more sports than I play. However, I do love a good game of backyard wiffleball.
Stay in or go out? Stay in
Comedy or Drama? Comedy