Educational Background

I began my educational career by happenstance after receiving an out of the blue job offer to work in a Special Education department at South Sioux City High School (NE), my alma mater. I fell in love with helping students with individual needs acquire skills as they enter the workforce from ages 18-21. This led me to re-entering the academic world as I received my MA in Secondary Education with a grades 7-12 Theatre Arts, Language Arts, and History teaching certification from the University of South Dakota. I acquired educational licensure status in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota. I split time as a professional actor and educational assistant at Northfield Middle School (MN) for over five years, running their theatrical programming and working in the Special Education department, mostly in their autism classroom. I also had the pleasure to teach 7th grade Social Studies for a time as well at that institution. I then received my MFA in Acting from Minnesota State University, Mankato so I could teach at the post-secondary level. In preparation for that opportunity I have been presenting and publishing research at academic conferences, acquiring skillsets in Intimacy Direction and Stage Combat, and working at Gustavus Adolphus College’s Admission Department to enhance my knowledge of collegiate recruitment.

Student Testimonials

“I am not sure how you did it, but you helped me find a side to myself that I have never seen.”

“You brought out some of the inner actor in myself that I didn't know was there at all.”

“Thank you for being someone that I felt comfortable talking to and being myself around.”

“Picking up on your teaching styles and tactics will help me when I become a teacher and how you had a relationship with your students. It was truly inspiring and that's why this is one of my favorite classes I've ever taken.”

“Thank you for creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere to act in. You have been extremely supportive.”

“This class has been a joy to come to every day. I am going to miss it.”

“As the weeks went on, we started to grow closer as a class and I started to feel more comfortable around everyone. My biggest area of growth was learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable.”