I am 58 years old.  I have been married for 32 years.  We have two children, a daughter 26, and a son 21.  I have been teaching elementary school in Brookline for over 34 years.  I will retire in another 1 1/2 years and will be looking for another job in education.  In November, 2009,  I won the Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the National Council of Social Studies.  This was quite an honor I will never forget!

How did you get to where you are now?

I got to where I am now by working VERY hard!  Since my children went to college, I have worked even harder, joining many groups in the Town of Brookline School System, trying to make teaching a better place for students.  I would describe myself as a life-long learner, always tweaking my curriculum to make it better to meet the needs of this century.

How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?

I am a global learner, traveling all over the world to take videos and slideshows of others' cultures to bring back to my students.  I am much more technological, integrating technology with all my other teaching subjects.  

I see myself differently now because I am ready to take care of myself.  I have spent  so many years taking care of everybody else.  It's time for me!

I am in much more debt now.  I was never in debt 10 years ago. I have a very hard time paying all the bills.  Bills escalate; My salary has not in years. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I hope that I can be debt free and healthy, working at an awesome project to help students all over the world.  I want to create curriculum for others.  I hope by then that my daughter will be married and taken care of.  I hope my son will be the architect he wants to be.  

Do you remember how happy you were and how everyone loved your smile and humor?  You had so many friends.  You were loved by your husband; He couldn't wait to get home to see you.  He was attentive and helped me do everything.  You had energy and a passion for everything.  You did not worry so much about life.  You had enough money to travel, buy clothes for yourself and your family.  A children's library and adult library had been started in your home.  Every bill was paid on time.  There was enough for everyone!

Greg Mortenson is one of my role models; He builds schools for girls in Pakistan and Afganistan.

Paul Farmer is one of my role models; He helps poor people around the world get vaccinated and help if they are sick.

People who write about their lives are my role models as well.  They have the gift to share their stories.