Who am I?
- Parent of three successful young men
- Passionate non-formal educator
- Long time volunteer – 25 years!
- Founder/Teacher, Enrichment Group, Evergreen Garden Club (2004-2017)
- Founder/Teacher, Enrichment Group, Third Grade Writer’s Circle (six years)
- Certified Master Gardener Volunteer (2004-2019)
- Author: Garden Club Curriculum, Math Meets Nature Enrichment Series, Summer Camp Monarch Habitat & Conservation Curriculum for Elementary Students
- Public Speaker @ educational conferences, as well as for classroom presentations, & community groups since 2008.
- Environmental Educator – MS in Natural Resources 2018 from UW Steven’s Point.
- Former nationally certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with an MS in Child Health
- Blogger 2017-2021 @ The Apples in My Orchard.
- Life long learner
- Avid Reader
- Active Monarch Conservationist (2006-present)
- Citizen Scientist
- Author on Medium.com
- Published Indie Author of the 2022 Chapbook, Life’s Inspiration and Reflection in a Few Words, available on Amazon, here.
What is The Apples in My Orchard Blog about?
Through my experience with students over the last 22 years, this blog will offer you:
- poetry and reflective essays on nature, travel, life’s challenges, and inspirations
- funny and relatable stories regarding student learning, family, & community life
- relatable frustrations many, if not all, parents experience with regard to education
- PTO? Yes, No, and Maybe! Do you belong?
- Other options for parent involvement and volunteerism
- advice and insight on how to be a student advocate
- Tips on challenges encountered in advocating for your students (children) –
- especially talented and gifted students (TAG)
- insights on living with intensities TAG students often exhibit
- descriptions of overexcitability and asynchronous learning that you might encounter with your gifted student
- a chance to learn about student groups and how they enrich our youth, without burdening their teachers
- Using your passion for good
- insights on how to form student groups, including resulting satisfaction and pitfalls
- a place to network and share experiences of parenting and/or teaching
- a platform to increase awareness of student needs and solutions to meet those needs
- tips on navigating college readiness, including AP course selection, preparation, and benefits, as well as the benefits and challenges of above-grade-level standardized testing (taking the ACT or PSAT as a younger student in late elementary or middle school).
- tips from a parent who has navigated the challenges of TAG education from pre-k through college.
- identifying as a gifted adult
- referral to other sources on student enrichment opportunities and information
- helpful book & website referrals