My first teaching job was in Hamilton County in 1997. Since that time, I have taught in traditional schools, a charter school, a mangrove swamp, under the milky way in Chile, in local creek, in a simulated International Space Station and many places in between. When I realized that I was no longer enjoying the classroom setting and the bureaucracy that came along with it I knew it was time for a change. I also knew that I still wanted to work with students.

My daughter was a sophomore and our talks about college had begun in earnest. I was overwhelmed by the differences between when I had applied to college and current times (and this was BEFORE Covid). It was scary enough even then. There were all these new words such as Early Action, Early Decision, brag sheet, target, safety, reach, holistic application review and later, test optional. I was staggered by all the things I needed to understand. To make things worse, thinking about the process stressed my daughter out too. 

As I sat and talked with her one evening, I heard myself saying

“This should be such an exciting time in your life. You are making one of your first truly big life decisions. The next four years stand to be four of the best years of your life, certainly the best so far. College is amazing and hard and fun and one of the last times in your life where you are free to focus on learning and growing, being challenged and challenging others, discovering who you are and who you want to be.”

She looked at me like I had grown another head. Nothing about the process seemed fun or exciting to her. Additionally, she had a close friend who was a few years older who had recently had an awful experience not being accepted into any of the schools to which she applied.

These two occurrences changed my course. I would become a college counselor. In this role I could continue to work with students and strive to bring the excitement back into looking for and finding the best fit college for each individual student. There is a school for everyone that chooses the college route and the process of finding it doesn’t have to be daunting, scary or anxiety ridden.

I am the mother of two living in a log cabin on Signal Mountain in Tennessee. My daughter is 19 and in business school at Esade in Barcelona. She has taken my travelers heart and run with it. Currently she has lived in five countries in addition to the US. My son is a sophomore in high school. He is a whitewater paddler, a lacrosse player and has little interest in international travel at this point in his life.

When I am not working, I love to be outdoors…on the water, mountain biking, gardening, hiking and most recently I fell in love with hang gliding. I enjoy getting to know the young people with whom I work. Their zest for life is contagious, they each bring something different to the table that invigorates and stimulates me. They keep me on my toes, and I appreciate their individuality and enthusiasm.