I grew up in North Georgia, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains- graduated from highschool and set off to pursue the dream of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist.  I graduated from Auburn University in 1997, after marrying my husband, Jeff (1994)...and having our first child, Mackenzie (1996).  The day after graduation, we loaded up our dog, our baby, and our boat...and headed to Nashville for my husband-drummer to pursue his music dreams.  That is where I landed my first job as a Speech Therapist.  

After my first year teaching, we had the opportunity to move to Saudi Arabia.  We moved to Jeddah in 1998.  My husband managed the hand-crafted rug division of a carpet factory, and we became acquainted with Middle Eastern culture and the underground church.  It was an amazing 3 year experience, and that is where our second child, Keegan, was born (1999).  We entered Etowah County in 2001 to become houseparents at Big Oak Ranch.  We were there for 3 years, and left (10 sons richer) in 2005.  

During our time here in Etowah County, I have been a "first-year teacher" 4 times!!! (Collaborative Special Education, 4th and 5th Grade English, Multiple Disabilities Unit, and High School English/Journalism)  I consider it a privilege to have had such diverse experience in the wonderful field of education, and am excited to begin my 10th year with Attalla City Schools, and VERY grateful to return to the field of my dreams, as I start my 2nd year as the Speech-Language Pathologist for ACS! 

Attalla has been good to us, and we are proud to be part of the Blue Devil Nation.  Mackenzie and her husband (Jacob) are both Etowah graduates (2014), Jo Hucksley's mommy and daddy (2019), and foster parents. Although Keegan did not graduate from EHS, part of his heart will always be a Blue Devil. He married an Etowah Alumna (Mary) in 2018, and they are now building their life in Nashville.

Jeff and I are active members of Grace Bible Church and we love Jesus.  We are passionate about missions and have had the opportunity to serve in Africa, Haiti, and in East Gadsden. In 2014, we welcomed our Haitian son, GM, into our family.  He got married in 2019 (Kayla) and is now the proud daddy of Lydia (2021).

I am thankful for this year with your student.  If there is ever anything I can do for you or your child, please do not hesitate to reach out.  I am your advocate. 

Onward! (0: