I grew up in Burbank, South Dakota, a small rural farm community with a population of 100 people. I lived in the house my father grew up in and that my great-great-grandfather built. My grandparents lived across the street from me. Grandma Kyte was the postmaster in Burbank. She brought our mail to us everday after she finished working in the small postoffice. I went to school in the nearest big town, Vermillion, where the University of South Dakota is located. My parents met at the University. I foundly remember going to high school football games in the Dakota Dome. High School games were a community event. Everyone went.

My Mother decided to go to Law School the year I started 5th grade. She is one of my role-models. Over the years, she has raised 2 children (with help from my father, of course) and earned 2 graduate degrees. I was too young to remember her going to Nursing School, but I remember the hours she put in at the law library. We used to go after school to meet her. I would study in the law school.

Just before I started high school, my family moved to Illinois. My mother had just finished law school and obtained a job in Chicago. I was very unhappy to move at the time, but quickly learned to appreciate the new opportunities presented to me in the large school I was in. I joined color guard and WHO (West Helps Others) Club, a volunteer organization. I truely appreciated the vast divisity of culture I was presented with. It was a stark contrast to my small town background. The thing I enjoyed the most was my opportunity to take so many advanced and AP courses. I have always loved school and learning, and I soaked up everything my teachers would send my way. I completed high school at Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois in 1996.

I went to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. I remeber the week in May of my senior year that my mother took me to the University to tryout for Color Guard. I was so nervous, but I made the squad! The Marching Illini was a great experience for me. I can't even begin to describe what it is like to march into Memorial Stadium and know thousands of people are watching you. Being part of that tradition was one of the best experiences of my life. Between practices and football games, I found time for my academic life. I learned fast that I didn't know as much as I thought I did, but quickly learned to step up. I will never forget taking Geometry and feeling like I could never get how to write a proof. I had a great professor, though, and something clicked. I went to struggling with the idea to loving it and quickly rose to the top of the class. This earned me a grading and tutoring position my Junior Year and then a Teaching Assistantship in Calculus my Senior Year. Boy did I learn how hard teaching was that semester! I managed to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with a Secondary Education minor in 2000. I graduated with high honors in mathematics.

I student taught at Rolling Meadows for Mrs. Blair and Mrs. Trent in the Spring of 2000 and thanks to their guidence and support, I obtained a teaching position at Rolling Meadows High School in 2000. I am still there today and loving it. I have learned an enormous amount from the faculty and students at Rolling Meadows and have appreciated the support I have gotten along the way. Meadows is a truly unique place.

Honors Geometry

Honors Advanced Algebra

Algebra

Advanced Algebra

Geometry

LEP (Limited English Proficienfy) Geometry

Remedial Geometry

I have to admit, coaching math team was not what I was most excited about doing when starting at Rolling Meadows. I took on the position though, and have loved being involved ever since. Watching kids getting so excited about mathematics is great! This year we are overflowing with students who are truly excited about math and have such a great time at practice and competition.