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 Thank you so much for visiting To make a long story short...I was laid off for the first time in my life on Friday, April 3, 2009, from a long career in advertising. Shocking, I know, to get laid off from an advertising position in this economy. From a magazine where the ad revenue dropped 40% over the course of a year. A blessing in disguise? Absolutely. So here begins another chapter in my Book of Life.
 June
2010... Completed my student teaching, graduated, substituted
for the past 2 months and can now say "I am a teacher." It took a long
time and a super long path but I am here, where I want to me. I am now searching and applying, keeping my
chin and while mentally preparing for my first job in the field of education, wherever that may be.
Here's how it all started:
May
2009 ~ Moving forward,I had
made the decision to go back to school to get my K-6 Teaching
Credential. With 2 months of studying, I passed the CSET, the CA
Subject Exam for Teachers. From the look of the test, you'd think that I
was going to teach college students. From algebraic equations to the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, I studied for two months and didn't feel
confident about the July 18th test date but as it turned out I
passed. I started school that summer at Dominican University in San
Rafael, CA. First class: English Language Development. Good class,
pregnant instructor.
 August 24th 2009 I
started my first of two full time semesters. 4 classes per week with 12
hours a week (Mon-Tues-Wed 8am-noon) of student observation in Mrs.
Jensen's second grade classroom ~ Valley Vista Elementary School. in
Petaluma, CA. Observing is not the word here, it has been trial by
fire, as Mrs. Jensen has asked me to help lead a group of 16 second
graders in writing and reading projects. The kids are great and I am
completely loving it. Can you say e-x-h-a-u-s-t-i-n-g, and this is just
the beginning. I'm sure I will get use to it (I have.)  January 2010...Student teaching full time
with a great bunch of second graders. This hands on experience is what
all new teacher need. I have taken over lessons most days and will be
student teaching solo starting in February. I know they like me by all
the birthday cards they made for me and hugs that I get everyday. I am
teaching them just as much as they are teaching me. Nine weeks of
second grade than six weeks in sixth grade coming soon.
March
2010... Just completed 12 weeks in second grade (that's
twenty-two 7 and 8 year olds), collaborated with other teachers,
implemented instruction, managed the classroom, teaching the children
and loving every minute of it. I start my day by teaching them the
pledge in sign language, of course, I had to learn it first. The
students taught me just as much as I taught them and I am forever grateful. Now, its on to six-weeks of 6th grade. Getting 27 students
ready for middle school was not an easy task but I loved it, them, the whole experience. I will never forget students like Brandon, Brenda, Tania and James or Mrs. D. who taught be to take control. "You aren't here to entertain, you are here to teach" she told me.
 My past professional life had been in advertising, communications, creative services, relationship building and selling my products & services. Keeping my clients up to date with current industry news and information has also been a big part of my professional career. I have experience with trade shows, sales or all kinds as well as presenting my ideas and products to large groups of buyers. I have worked with Nordstrom and Macy to mom & pop shops in small town America to small and large advertising agencies around the country. It was all good but was time to move on. I am glad to have had the experience in the business world and hopefully this will help me in my golden years when we open our cute little B&B somewhere along the west coast, high in the mountains, overlooking the desert. :)  I hope you enjoy reading about me. In addition, my hobbies include photography, knitting, yoga, hiking, traveling, wine tasting, reading and first and foremost, my family.
Updated July 2, 2010
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