Hello! I have chased after this very position for the last six years and today, I am excited to say, "I have my dream job!" I graduated six years ago with top honors from SIUC with my bachelors in Elementary Education and a concentration in middle school science. Since graduation, I have worked as a junior high science teacher, a substitute teacher here in the Sparta District #140 for two years, and two years at St. Mark's as a 5th grade teacher. I am passionate about teaching and love watching my students grow, learn, and expand their minds. I believe education should be fun and engaging! I believe in order to be successful in the classroom, there should be a three way partnership between the student, parent, and teacher. I am looking forward to a productive year where we all work together to ensure they can achieve their highest potential. It is essential to remember support needs to come from the home and from the school. Together we will make a great difference in their educations. We share the responsibility for their success. I assure you that I will do my very best to not only educate your child but to help them grow academically, mentally, and emotionally. Out side of school, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have been married for 16 years and together we have raised three children in the Sparta school district. Austin, 23 is married to Olivia and has provided my husband and I a new title that has brought us great joy. Grandparents! We invited our first grand daughter, Violet, into our lives almost two years ago. She is the sparkle in our lives. Anthony, 20, is a member of the National Guard and will start his first semester at SIUE to pursue his degree in Physical Therapy. Finally, Andrew, 16, is a junior at Sparta High School. He has wrestled the last two years and will continue to again this year. Mrs. Carter