I grew up in the era of Strawberry Shortcake, Madonna, Huffy bikes, perms my mom and grandma gave me and drinking out of the backyard hose. 

I went to school in Guilford County (Archer and Hampton Elementary, then Kiser Middle and Grimsley). I married my high school sweetheart and stuck around Greensboring (as we called it) and went to UNCG. It took me 5 years to graduate with my BS in Public Health Education, but I did it. 

What do I want my community to know about me? 

I believe you can begin again and I LOVE a fresh start. 

I want them to know that I have a big heart and a caring soul. 

I want them to know that I'm silly, and sometimes my filter doesn't work.  I don't like silence and will fill it with something really random. 

I want them to know that I waited so long to be a teacher and wish I'd have listened to my inner voice much longer before now. 

I want them to know that I don't believe in mistakes. We're all just figuring it out. 

           Who were my primary influencers? 

My paternal grandmother. She was a schoolteacher, a baker, a christian, a gardener with a beautiful greenhouse and garden. She was a simple woman who wasn't fussy and lived by gratitude. 

My maternal grandmother, who I am named after. She was a hard worker. She was married to an abusive alcoholic and she worked in a cigarette factory. She was no-nonsense, had a sense of humor, made the best ever red velvet cake and chicken and dumplings. I am told that I get my love of laughter from her. 

My father. He was an engineer. He worked hard for our family to have a good life. He was known as Mr Fix It. He taught me the love of the ocean, to admit your mistakes, to thank people and to forgive. We very different and alike at the same time. I miss him dearly. 

My Hubby Joe. He teaches me what love is. I thought I knew (cue high school romance). Joe has embraced me for who and what I am and loves me anyway. He gives me room to be me, even though sometimes it drives him crazy. 

What events or encounters shaped who I am today? 

I think that my 20+ years working in public health/social work set me up well to be a teacher. Deciding to leave my marriage (after only 4 years) was a HUGE decision and helped me believe in myself. 

I grew up going to the beach to our little family cottage that my grandfather built and spent most of my summers there, which showed me love the outdoors and all things beachy. 

Being a Girl Scout myself and later a Girl Scout Leader of my daughter's troop changed me in feeling more empowered as a woman and the love of the outdoors.

I am proud to be a PANDA!  I have found my place at Brooks Global. And I am thankful for YOU!