I’m a lifelong Bergen County resident who works hard as a teacher, mom, and volunteer in the community. A graduate of Ridgewood High School and College of the Holy Cross (MA), I have returned to my alma mater where I teach Latin. Throughout my seventeen-year career, I have also earned master’s degrees from Montclair State University and The College of New Jersey. In addition, I work as a Technology Innovation Specialist in my district, providing peer-to-peer professional development for colleagues in the realm of educational technology integration.
My children are in elementary schools in Mahwah, and my husband works as a paraprofessional in Mahwah schools as well. I volunteer extensively for the Mahwah Schools Foundation and Home and School Organizations within the schools. When I have free time, I love bike riding, running, and reading.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My parents and one of my sisters live in Mahwah, too! It’s great to have them close by. My daughter is 10 and will be in 5th grade at JK in the fall. My son is 8 and will be in 3rd grade at Betsy Ross in the fall. They both play soccer and basketball, and participate in other youth activities in town. My husband works as a paraprofessional at JK, and volunteers as a coach in Mahwah’s youth sports programs.
Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
I really love connecting with my students and bearing witness to their growth through adolescence. As a Technology Specialist, I enjoy the ongoing challenge of learning my colleagues’ approach to teaching their classes, and helping them develop new ways of integrating technology to expand the way they work with their students.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Blue Moon in Wyckoff has the best Mexican food, Sonny and Tony’s in Mahwah has the best pizza, and Simply Green Cafe in Ramsey has the best vegan-friendly menu!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived in Bergen County all my life, growing up in Ridgewood, living in Cliffside Park after college, and buying our family’s forever home in Mahwah.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
There are too many to name just one! I have met: wonderful, generous, supportive moms; kind, supportive fathers; and really gregarious, capacious volunteers. This community has it all!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Hawaii! I’ve never been, but it looks beautiful, and after teaching virtually for a third of the school year, I need a vacation desperately!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Favorite Movies: “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” and “Juno” / Favorite TV: “The Office,” “Friends,” and “Last Week Tonight”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Two quotes that I strive to live by: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” (Ralph Waldo Emerson). “Be kinder than necessary” (seen on a church sign)
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Taking my family to Italy!
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Guster
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Van Dyk’s ice cream in Ridgewood
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Dr. Edward Zarrow, 2016 ACTFL Teacher of the Year, Latin teacher extraordinaire. I’d love to talk with him about his program and get his advice and ideas for our program in Ridgewood. We’d have to meet at an Italian restaurant!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the open space in our community. The quiet and the extensive nature makes me happy!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I imagine that in the next 5-10 years, I’ll be doing much of the same of what I do now. I love my job and have no desire to stop teaching or change careers. My children will be teenagers (and going to college! boo-hoo!) in that time, so I will be working as hard as I can to make sure they can achieve their dreams.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have a weird knack for remembering people’s license plate numbers!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Tahiti! We spent our honeymoon there, and we frequently imagine a time when we might have the privilege of going back!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite month: June. Favorite holiday: Christmas. Best single day on the calendar? First day of summer vacation–I sleep in like a champion!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Ice cream! There’s something so refreshing and endlessly fun about it.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kids. Every action I take every day, I do for them and I consider them in every plan I make.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Pizza, freshly-sharpened pencils, and the books at Barnes and Noble.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, comfort, love.
