About Me

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I am a native Pacific Northwesterner (go Ducks! Go Seahawks! Go Mariners!) who found herself in Kansas in 2010. Growing up in a challenging environment with alcohol- and drug-addicted parents, I faced times of homelessness and lack of basic necessities. These formative experiences shaped me into a tenacious advocate with a deep heart for humanism. If the three-year-old in the above picture, alongside her beloved uncle who was one of the few who cared for her, could meet me now, she would feel safe, secure, loved, and confident that she could achieve anything!

My passion for education began early, as my teachers were often the only individuals who showed genuine interest in me. Their encouragement to explore and remain curious provided stability during my tumultuous childhood. I spent more time in the classroom than outside with peers, where I felt accepted and valued. At 14, I started to consider a career in teaching, and to this day, I still aspire to be a college-level professor, much like Anne Phillips, who exemplifies dedication to education advocacy.

After relocating from Northern California to the rugged Bitterroot Mountains of southwestern Montana, and then to the idyllic wilds of Idaho, my family settled at the base of the Elkhorn Mountains in eastern Oregon. We raised sheep, goats, llamas, and horses on our land. Though I wasn’t the most agriculturally inclined, my younger sister thrived with the farm animals and became an avid supporter of FFA and 4-H. In high school, I found solace in band, competing in jazz band competitions across the Pacific Northwest and earning a spot in the Oregon State Honor Band for three consecutive years. I also worked as a statistician for basketball, baseball, and football, and participated in Track & Field, excelling in sprints and shot put. My academic strengths lay in social sciences, physics, chemistry, Spanish, and a wealth of English courses that ignited my love for reading.

During high school, I served as a teacher's assistant for my geometry teacher, Mr. Siewell, who recognized my struggles with math and offered me tutoring. The same year, an Army recruiter visited our class and shared her experiences as a Mandarin linguist. Intrigued by her stories of travel, I expressed interest in leaving my hometown. Mr. Siewell, however, urged me to consider the Air Force instead, sharing his own positive experiences. Inspired by his guidance, I contacted the Air Force recruiter that night.

By the beginning of my senior year, I enlisted in the Air Force and joined the Delayed Entry Program, eventually attending Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas in August 2001. Because of my musical background, I was assigned to the Drum & Bugle Corps, where I learned to play the quads and cymbals. 

September 11, 2001, occurred while I was in BMT, changing the course of my service. After Technical Training at Sheppard AFB, I was assigned as an Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, working on F-16 engines and later with the 7th Component Repair Squadron at Dyess AFB in Texas. My first deployment to Kuwait came in January 2003, where I witnessed the onset of the Iraq invasion. I received numerous medals for my service, including a Presidential Unit Citation for my unit's conduct during combat operations.

In 2004, I was stationed at RAF Lakenheath, England, where I worked on F-15C/D Eagle engines, traveled across Europe, and made lifelong friends. In 2008, my family relocated to Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota, where I separated from active duty and supported my spouse's military career while managing family challenges.

After our reassignment to McConnell AFB in Wichita in 2010, I re-enlisted as a Traditional Reservist and began working on KC-135 engines. I became heavily involved in community involvement and education advocacy, ensuring my children received the best support possible, especially my youngest daughter who has special needs. I served on the Strategy 3 committee for the Derby Public Schools Strategic Plan and became an active member of the Special Services Parents Advisory Council (SSPAC) and the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC).

I hold several degrees, including an Associate's of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of North Dakota, and an MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management. I am also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). My life as a single mom includes being an avid gardener, reader, writer, and a lover of culinary experiences. I enjoy exploring Wichita's food scene and the beautiful Kansas landscape, always ready for my next adventure.