I am a true Florida girl! I was born and raised right here in St. Petersburg, FL where I ironically attended St. Raphael Catholic School from grades K-8, moving onto St. Petersburg Catholic High School for grades 9-12. I then went on to attend Florida Gulf Coast University where I received a B.A. in Elementary Education (K-6) with an ESOL endorsement. While at FGCU, I participated in different leadership and educational societies such as the National Society of Leadership and Success and also Kappa Delta Pi (honors society in education.) I was voted "Undergraduate Student of the Year" in the College of Education at FGCU upon graduating in 2009. After graduating, I substitute taught at various Catholic Schools in the area where I gained experience in working with students grades EC-3-8th. After gaining some experience, I took a job with Title 1 within the private school sector in Pinellas County at St. John Catholic School, on St. Petersburg Beach for a year. I fell in love when working with students grades K-5 in reading development that I decided to go on and acquire my Masters degree in Reading and Literacy from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. I will graduate with my Reading degree and endorsement in the spring of 2013. I anticipate going on to work on my Education Specialist degree within the next year or so in either Curriculum or Educational Leadership. As you all may know, I have taught EC-4 the past two years at our awesome school and was certified in Early Childhood Education upon that position. I am happy to say that I FINALLY am getting to work with my dream grade of 3rd grade! I interned in a 3rd grade classroom for my final internship in undergrad, and fell in love with the creative nature of the students, curriculum, and eagerness to learn of this particular age group. I feel very blessed to finally be teaching where my heart lies in education!