Quite simply, the School Aid Station is what you get when you cross a veteran teacher with an avid trail runner! My love of the outdoors and my passion for teaching have come together in this small corner of cyberspace. 

I’m a trail runner in the Pacific Northwest with one ultramarathon (31 miles) and several shorter races to my name.  Most trail races are equipped with “aid stations.” These small canopy tents are stocked with food and hydration of every sort imaginable.  Runners stop by, grab what they need, and continue on with their race. 

Here at the School Aid Station, I will empower you…the parents and teachers, friends and extended family of young learners.  If you are fortunate enough to have a child in your life that you love, you’ll eventually find something useful at the School Aid Station. Here, you’ll soon find everything from quick tips and tools to online courses.

It’s also my not-so-secret hope that, some day, my two daughters, my grandchildren, and maybe even my sons-in-law(!) will enjoy these pages.  Their paths have led them far across the country, so they’re not quite as likely to hear my daily comments, “I was reading this week about…. and did you know that…?” 

Parents are the first teachers, beginning on the day a child is born. In the first five years of life, parents have been impacting their children for approximately 43,000 hours! Classroom teachers, over the course of 13 years, interact with students less than half that much time.  Both parents and teachers have an influence that can last a lifetime, and beyond. It’s not one or the other who is most important; it’s BOTH. Together.  

Several decades of classroom teaching have given me a broad scope of experience–quite literally–from kindergarten to university level. Each age group of learners has its own unique flavor. But by far the most rewarding is collaborating with adults who share my love of teaching. As an elementary school principal for the last six years, supporting teachers was my favorite part of the job. Here at the School Aid Station, I will do just that!

So, here goes! I can’t wait to learn about your journey as a teacher, and how I can best serve you. You may be a young mother with toddlers, a veteran homeschool teacher, or a new classroom teacher. Perhaps you’re reading this out of the kindness of your heart because you’re a personal friend or a cousin. (I’m so blessed to have LOTS of those!) And maybe, like me, you’re a grandparent who wants to support your grandchildren in the very best possible ways you can.

Whoever you are, however you came to find me, WELCOME! And thank you for joining me for as long as you choose. I hope you’ll enjoy the journey as much as I do!

I live to serve.