Most recently, she worked as a Learning Resource Support Specialist at St. Joseph School in Seattle. She is a passionate, dedicated, and experienced education professional who is Slingerland® trained and certified. Her experience evaluating students for intervention, serving as a primary school Mentor Teacher, and leading professional development workshops for teachers in the science of reading will inform her work as the next Director of Admissions for Hamlin Robinson School.

Q: Tell us about yourself!
A: I’ve been working in education for 25 years. First as a classroom teacher for 14 years (grades K-8), and for the last 11 years, as a learning resource specialist and literacy coach in grades K-4. My primary focus in the latter part of my teaching career has been working with children with dyslexia and/or other language-based learning differences and assisting classroom teachers in building structured literacy approaches and practices based on the science of reading.

Q: Why did you apply for the position of Director of Admissions?
A: Hamlin Robinson School has been part of my education world for a long time. I took my first Slingerland® Method course back in the summer of 2011 with Kay Nelson and have referred students and families to HRS’ Summer Program, 1:1 tutoring services, and parent education programs ever since. This past spring as I was looking on the Hamlin Robinson website for Summer Program dates to share with some of my current students’ families, I spontaneously decided to peek at the career openings on the HRS website where I found a posting for Director of Admissions. I was thinking about making a career shift for a few years, casually contemplating ways I could support students and their families in a different capacity. After reading the Director of Admissions job description, I thought, “I can do this, and it sounds so exciting!”

Q: What most inspires and excites you about working at HRS?
A: I am inspired and excited to join Hamlin Robinson where the entire faculty and staff are dedicated to serving the needs of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. My role as a former teacher was to deliver the mission of a school. I am thrilled to be beginning a new role where I may use my skill base and knowledge to support the mission of a school.

Q: What is a challenge you look forward to tackling?
A: At each of the schools that I have worked at in the last 25 years, I have had the joy and privilege of building wonderful relationships with students, families, and colleagues. It is difficult leaving behind a group of people you have come to love and enjoy, yet I look forward to overcoming the challenge of being a new face at HRS and starting the process of integrating into a new community. I will be learning lots of new names, establishing new relationships, and taking the time to learn the needs and stories of the HRS community.

Q: What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year?
A: This year, my hope is to gain the trust of the faculty, staff, parents, and students so they know and understand I am here to help them carry out the mission, vision, and core values of Hamlin Robinson School.