Leadership
Science

Personal Introduction

This is my 31st year of teaching and every year it is new and exciting.  I have taught at elementary schools in Morgan Hill, Sunnyvale and Cambrian, a private school in Los Gatos, and in many different summer science programs.  I really love teaching life science and leadership, combining my interest in the natural world and my faith in kids today and their desire to help the community. 

I am a product of San Jose Unified School District.  I attended Cory Elementary, Hoover ‘Junior High’ and Lincoln High School.  I earned an AA in Social Sciences from San Jose City College, a BA in Natural Science and a MA in Instructional Technology from San Jose State University. 

I have been married for 30 years and have two sons - both who had the “wonderful” experience of attending John Muir while I was teaching here.  They survived, and the oldest is now a 2nd lieutenant in the US Army and the youngest is a film student at DeAnza College. 

Our four cats, Arthur, Guinevere, Morgan Le Fey and Lancelot keep us entertained at home.  We have all been involved in Scouting for years, so camping is a way we all like to relax.  I even drag them all on nature hikes!

Leadership
6th-8th grades

Our leadership program is six years old and our goal is to make John Muir a place where everybody feels safe, respected and important. This elective class is designed for those students who have an interest in developing their leadership skills while building assets in the school community.  Students will study models of leadership, run for school-wide office, plan fun school activities and organize service projects.

7th grade Science

The overarching theme of this class is the form and structure of life on earth. We begin the year with a
study of lab safety and scientific measurement and methods.  The wonderful variety of ‘the parade of
life’ will fill the rest of the year. Through the science fair project, all students will conduct their own
scientific investigations, supported by a summary of relevant research.