MEET OUR STAFF

I was blessed to have attended Catholic education my first 12-years of schooling giving me a strong foundation in the Catholic doctrine. I attended St. Clare of Montefalco Elementary School and De La Salle Collegiate High School. I have received degrees from Eastern Michigan University, Oakland University, and Saginaw Valley University: Accounting, Elementary Education, and a Masters in Administration Leadership, respectively. With over a decade of teaching in East Detroit and now administering here at Immaculate Conception, I am excited daily to work with the children, teachers and families of Immaculate Conception Catholic School. 

(586) 725-0078

I am the preschool teacher at Immaculate Conception. Along with my passion for teaching young children I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Studies from Rochester College. My background with children includes teaching at Barnes Early Childhood Center in Grosse Pointe Woods. I live in New Baltimore with my two cats, Binx and Marcello. My Catholic faith is strong, and I feel truly blessed and grateful for the community at IC, inspiring the children’s growth and discoveries in the initial stages of development is a gift from God. 

My favorite pastime adventures outside of teaching are spending time with family and friends, vacationing, enjoying nature, hiking, kayaking, biking and being a lifelong learner. 

 I have four years of previous experience as a PreK para pro and am excited to start the new school year here at Immaculate Conception.   

I’m married with one great adult son, the best daughter-in-law and I now have 2- sweet grandchildren. 

My goal here at IC is to assist Mrs. Burrus and help keep safe the little lambs in Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 as well as make their first-time school experience positive, fun and Christ centered. I’m looking forward to an exciting year and working with the children and their parents. 

Favorite Things: Swimming in my pool, boating and reading.  

Favorite Color: Blue or pink 

Favorite Animal: dogs

I am the kindergarten teacher at Immaculate Conception. My philosophy is based on individuality. Each student is respected and appreciated as a unique child of God with various learning styles, personalities and abilities. I feel it is my responsibility, as a teacher, to support each student’s development through a variety of learning activities. The kindergarten program follows Archdiocese of Detroit academic standards and assessment is an ongoing process. From Wayne State University, I received a BA in elementary education, with a ZA endorsement (early childhood). Currently I am working on my master’s degree with a reading specialist endorsement at Saginaw State University. I enjoy teaching kindergarten and have taught preschool and other early childhood programs. In my leisure time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading and fitness.

I was blessed to have gone to Catholic schools in my youth and have had the joy of a religious upbringing in the Catholic Church. God has always been forefront in my heart and in my life. I am a married mother of 3 beautiful grown children and 1 wonderful son-in-law whom I cherish daily.  

As a young girl I knew that teaching came naturally to me, and it was something I always wanted to do. Children are a blessing and our future in which we should strive to teach in God’s love. I have worked over 20 years in Early Childhood and transitioned into teaching 3 years ago. I have taught 3rd grade and now am excited to begin a new chapter teaching 1st graders’ their academics and the word of God at Immaculate Conception.   

At a young age, I had a profound faith in the Lord and wanted to share my love of God with others. After serving as a catechist during my junior and senior year of high school, I decided teaching would be the career path I would follow. I pursued a degree in Elementary Education from Oakland University and later received my Master’s degree in Special Education from Saginaw Valley State University. I believe all children can learn if given a loving, safe environment in which to grow and reach for the stars. For generations, IC has consistently provided an incredible academic education, but also strongly supports our students to learn and love our Catholic faith. I am privileged to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing team, at a place I call home. God has blessed my life in so many ways and I am forever grateful for all that I have been given. I have been married for over 35 years to my high school sweetheart and together, we raised three beautiful children of whom I could not be more proud of. During the child rearing years, I served for thirteen years as youth minister, as the co-director of Praisin’ Puppets. This again, allowed me to help spread God’s love among our youth and most impressionable teenagers. My life experiences, years of teaching and collaborations as part of an administrative team, has given me priceless knowledge to continue my life as a faithful disciple.

I am blessed to be a Catholic Educator for thirteen years. I know this is exactly where God wants me to be. It is a true gift to be a part of someone’s growth and development. I believe that what a student needs is the most important thing. I want them to have the confidence to pursue anything that interests their minds and hearts. This is at the core of my philosophy as a teacher. God first gives this to us in our dignity as a living creation from his hands. It is my job to make sure they never forget this dignity, which is within each of us. I am here to guide students and work in a partnership with parents. Having raised three children of my own, I understand how parenting can be the greatest joy, or at times, a difficult struggle. I first attended Wayne State University and earned a degree in Elementary Education with a major in Science. I then went on to pursue a Masters Degree through Saginaw Valley University as a Reading Specialist. It is a great responsibility with which a teacher is charged. My calling is to inspire, challenge, and equip my students to be their best self. I model hard work, compassion, and intellectual curiosity. I want my enthusiasm to be contagious. Learning and becoming all that God intended for us to be is an exciting adventure!

I have been teaching at IC for sixteen years. I have a Bachelors of Science in Education from Wayne State University and a Masters in Educational Studies from Oakland University. My major in undergraduate study was math. I have several years experience working with children prior to becoming a teacher. I am the mother of four children and volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader for five years prior to earning my teaching degree. I love working with children and feel that children have a tremendous amount of potential and a great deal to contribute to society. I want all of my students to exit fourth grade with an enthusiasm for learning, and a very positive self-image. 

I am a 2006 graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I am also currently working on a Masters Degree at Saginaw Valley State University in Early Childhood. I have had a lot of experience teaching, starting back when I just graduated from high school in 2001. Whether it was working for the Downriver Recreation Commission, substitute teaching, student teaching, filling in as a paraprofessional, after school programs, and teaching Kinder Academy; my days and nights have been focused around educating children. I have been the sixth grade teacher at I.C. since 2008 and have grown in my teaching abilities, as well as, faith. I feel IC has been like a second family and have loved working with each and every student. I believe that incorporating technology into the curriculum is key for our students’ future. My teaching philosophy is one that I developed while going to school and I still use it to this day. “To provide a safe, supportive, and structured environment for my students. Innovation and growth will partner with technology and multiculturalism, to shape students into lifelong learners, in our ever- changing world.” I have been married to my wonderful husband Scott since 2008 and was blessed with a beautiful boy named Wyatt; July 2, 2010 and an amazing girl, Kayley, January 6, 2013. I feel very blessed and thankful for my family! Our main activities are very outdoorsy! We are big time boaters, hunters, ATV riders (just to name a few); and when I have time (which isn’t much with two young children!) I love to run, cook, and read. 

I have been teaching at Immaculate Conception for over twenty years. I am a graduate of St. Clare of Montefalco, Bishop Gallagher, and the University of Detroit. I graduated with a major in English Writing and earned a teaching certificate. While at Wayne State pursuing my Master’s Degree in Science Education I also earned an endorsement in Middle School Education. I especially recognize the need for spiritually based education and have maintained my Catechesis Certificate as well as taken many auxiliary courses. Teaching, especially religion class, is my vocation. I teach math to students in grades six, seven and eight. Students move at their own pace and work independently or are in small groups based on ability. Algebra 1 math is offered to qualified students who then receive high school credit. All students participate in the annual Michigan Math League Contest. IC math classes consistently place in the top quartile in the nationally normed IOWA Test. I also teach middle school social studies. All students compete in the annual National Geographic “Geo-Bee.” On a personal note I am a practicing Catholic, happily married for over thirty years, with two adult children. My husband and I encouraged each child to follow their passion in college and as a result, both have jobs in their chosen fields of study. Finding what children are good at and helping them find the best in themselves are fundamental principles to which I adhere. Years of experience have contributed to the consistent and fair classroom atmosphere. I believe I have the enthusiasm of a novice, tempered by the experience of a veteran.