What inspired you to want to work for the service of children?

I felt like I was selling my soul to the “devils” of the corporate world and needed a change. I came across the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace program through a local church. The program is taught in many high schools in the Business Departments and that was something I became interested in. I started researching education programs and realized there were many classes I could teach in that department. Once I started substituting, I began to see that a lot of kids don’t have the encouragement and support from parents like I had growing up. I felt this was my way of giving back. If I can be a supportive figure in a students’ life and help them realize that they can achieve whatever goal they set for themselves, then at the end of the day I feel all is well with the world.

What is your favorite part of working at HHS?

The wonderful Vocational Department that has taken me under their wing and helped make the transition to a new school easy for me. Everyone has been very helpful and supportive, which means a lot to me. I spent 3 years as a full time substitute teacher and student teacher at Pigeon Forge High School and was very close to the faculty and students. It was very hard to leave my comfort zone and come to a new school that has a 1000 more students. Needless to say I had a hard time at the Jamboree last week. I took a lot of grief for showing up wearing red!

In high school what kind of stereotype did you fall into? (nerd, jock, prep…etc.)

I guess you could say I was a mixture of a lot of things. I wouldn’t really say I was preppy at all. I am very athletic and played several sports growing up. I also grew up on a large farm, so I was a big time AG girl. I was involved in FFA and FHA.

When you were in high school what career did you want to go into? Was education you first intended major?

I had no clue! Believe it or not I really didn’t like school a whole lot. My Grandmother always wanted me to be a Kindergarten teacher, but I said no way and I couldn’t imagine myself going back and teaching high school. I eventually found my way into Advertising Sales and I worked a few years in Group Sales in the Hotel Industry in Pigeon Forge. After a few years of struggles and difficulties, God has finally brought me back to where I need to be.

What were your favorite classes in high school?

I enjoyed all my AG classes because of all the events that I could participate in. But I really enjoyed my English class my senior year because I liked the teacher.

What was your first job?

I got my first job the week I graduated high school at a local drug store. I was the front sales clerk.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am currently doing a lot of hiking. My goal is to hike all the 800+ miles in the Great Smoky Mountains. I’ve completed 16 trails so far. After breaking my arm in 3 places skiing last February, I spent about 2 months stuck in the house not able to do anything. I think that’s what got me back into working out and exercising again. You don’t realize how enjoyable being outside is until you can’t do anything. I just bought my first road bike and my goal is to bike the Foothills Parkway after school. I took a couple of kayaking lessons this summer and hope to start back again this Fall. I also ran my first 10K race (6.2 miles) on August 25. It was an Extreme Challenge Mtn. Trail Race. I ran it in 1 hr 27 min 28 sec. My goal was 1 ½ hours. I didn’t get to train much due to the heat, so I expect to do much better next year. People thought I was crazy for making this my first race---but my motto is “If you’re gonna GO, go BIG”
I pretty much like doing anything that gets me out of the house. I would eventually like to start an Outdoor/Hiking Club here at Heritage.

What kind of music do you like to listen to?

All kinds. It usually depends on the mood or what kind of activity I’m involved in at the time.