Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.- Nelson Mandela
I thank God every day that I am able to teach great students and work beside such a devoted staff. I am so blessed to be the owner of Anderson Campus for Educational Excellence (ACEE). Everyday I spend my time with highly trained teachers who have chosen to come out of the school system and teach with a true love of learning. I see students learning to read and conquer their first hands-on project created in their own learning domain and I feel so privileged to be leading so many students to the love of learning.
My teaching philosophy is real life…"Students truly learn in an environment where they feel accepted and loved for their individuality. When students gain self-esteem and the true skills for learning, academics soar. Teachers should act as facilitators guiding learning."
I began my teaching career in 1992 while working as a camp counselor for the YMCA in Chula Vista, California. It was at this time that I realized I had a true love for all things "children".
I began pursuing my first degree in Preschool Education at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA and finished three years later. While working on my degree, I began working on an emergency credential as a Kindergarten teacher at KinderCare. At that time, I began to pursue my next degree in Elementary Education and continued to work at KinderCare. I then accepted an offer for a job as an EA (Educator's Assistant) in the San Diego City School System in a first grade classroom. It was here that I was introduced to children who were gifted and talented. I quickly took an interest!
In 1998, I moved to Tennessee to further my education and credentials and receive my certification in Gifted Education. At that time, I accepted a Special Education position teaching grades 1-5 in the Cannon County School System. After one year there and adding my Masters Degree in Special Education, I was asked by Williamson County Schools to be their lead of Special Education at Page Middle School.
While teaching in the Williamson County School system, I had a deep desire to take education for all types of learners to another level; a level at which students could learn at their own pace in a small environment that was comforting to them. In 2004, God opened the door as I became pregnant with my son, Mason, and decided to start ACEE. My vision was for an evening tutorial and a day tutorial for students with special needs. Later in 2005 my vision came to fruition as ACEE opened to all types of learners, including gifted learners. My family and I have been blessed to see many different learners gain academic knowledge and a greater sense of self-worth through holistic, child-centered services here at ACEE.
My love of teaching began in 1987 when I took an Occupational Childcare class. This class helped lay the foundation for the next seventeen years of my life as I honed my skills and taught in early childhood education. Teaching three and four year olds was a great adventure and a great lesson in how to hold the attention of a class. Children of this age are full of wonder and excitement as they explore the world around them. As a teacher, you have to be ready to change activities very quickly. It was during these years that I met and married my husband Dalton and we had our wonderful child, Benjamin.
At 35, I decided it was time for me to pursue my degree in Early Childhood Education. It was during my years in college that I discovered Child Development and Family Studies. This discipline extended my knowledge from the whole individual child to the whole family system and the importance in the growth and development of the family life. I received my bachelor's degreein Child Development and Family Studies in 2011 from Middle Tennessee State University. My Home Schooling journey was made necessary after the passing of my husband in 2016. I am so thankful to Tiffany and her staff for helping me navigate the channels of homeschooling. It is because of their love and concern and my love for teaching children that I began working at the school and am looking forward to my next adventure. In my spare time I love spending time with family, reading, making jewelry, and taking pictures.
Education should be about creating an environment where kids feel safe to explore ideas and extend their learning to subjects that interest them while maintaining the important mechanics to be learned. In a classroom children should feel loved, safe and included in their learning experience. This creates a place where ideas are valued. When a child feels valued the excitement of learning is contagious.
Originally from California, I've lived in Murfreesboro for over 30 years now. While in California I obtained my degree in Biochemistry from San Francisco State University. At that time, I also began working in health care and carried that career over to Tennessee where I worked in that field for many years.
As my children grew older I decided to return to school and obtain my teaching license which I did through Middle Tennessee State University. I taught for two years in the Nashville Public School system during which time I obtained my Masters of Education degree from Vanderbilt University.
It is my belief that we are all learners; we learn when we take on a new job or a new hobby and learning continues throughout our lives. It is my desire to instill in my students a love of learning that will serve to make them lifelong learners. I believe that if we can find ways to make students wonder and question the world around them or subjects they are exposed to that we can help unlock a love of learning that will stay with them long after their classroom days are finished. I feel privileged to work daily with students and love watching them grow and learn in all areas of their lives.
I grew up in the beautiful city of Chattanooga, TN. I later spent my college years studying at Carson Newman University in Jefferson City TN. This is where I met my husband. After marriage and graduation, we began our adventure together. We served in several ministry positions throughout the south before we settled in Murfreesboro.
Throughout the years, we have been blessed with three children. In 2010, when my children were 7, 4, and 2, I felt the need to go about their education in a unique way. That's when we began our homeschooling journey. Along with teaching and learning beside my own children, I have also taught many years in tutorial and co-op settings. Through this unexpected journey, I have discovered my love for teaching. I'm so thankful for each of the opportunities the Lord has given me to further grow myself as a lifelong learner and teacher.
For the past 5 years, my son has been a student at ACEE. This school has been the difference maker in his education and has been such an answer to prayer. I am so honored to be a part of this wonderful school as a teacher and look forward to the year ahead.
My philosophy for education is to love and lead a child through a respectful and nurturing environment. I believe that children should be taught how to think instead of being taught only what to think.
My journey as a teacher began when I was 13 years old. I started volunteering in the church-based day-care center. I continued to work in the day-care setting throughout college. I fell in love with teaching and working with children. During these years I was also involved in children's ministry at church. I pursued an education degree in college and majored in Psychology. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in psychology.
I had not lost my love for working with children so I decided to pursue a Master's degree in School Psychology. I graduated in 1985 with an Ed.S. degree in School Psychology.
After graduation, I began my career by working in the field of developmental disabilities. I continued in the work for 14 years. In addition, I worked with families providing in-home behavior management.
In 1997, my family and I began the home-school part of my journey. I loved being home with our children and teaching them. All three of our children graduated and are continuing on their chosen paths in life.
My journey with ACEE began when we wanted advanced learning for our son who was diagnosed with dyslexia. In 2007, I began as an evening tutor. Currently, I work providing day and evening tutoring.
It has been a most enjoyable journey and I look forward to the road ahead.
Each moment is a new learning experience, both for my students and for myself. I love seeing the excitement in the children's eyes when they learn something new. I love the questions they have when they are seeking knowledge. I love the opportunity God has given me to be an influence in these young lives.
I grew up in McMinnville, TN where I lived for 36 years. In 1986, I moved to Murfreesboro to attend Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) to begin my pursuit in Speech and Language Pathology with an emphasis on Communication Disorders. After completing a Bachelors degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing from MTSU in 1989, I began working in the Public School System. While in the Public School System, I worked part-time with the adult population in the area of Adult Language Therapy.
While at the school system I went on to further complete my Masters in Speech and Language Pathology with an emphasis on Communication from Western Kentucky University in 1991.During my time at the school system, I was offered an opportunity to work in my area of expertise and relocate to Kodiak, Alaska. I continued to enjoy Alaska for 4 and a half years, and then returned back to the Middle Tennessee Area.
My hobbies and interests are exploring and learning about animals, nature, music, and reading. I enjoy reading various genres of books especially Native American and Historical War non-fiction. I have be working with my teammates at ACEE since 2010 and plan to continue as long as possible.
All children can learn with love and support for the individual within them.
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