I’ve lived in Tucson since I was nine years old, so I consider myself as almost a native. My first career was that of a professional musician. I attempted to “get famous” after high school in a band called Nadine and the Mophonics. After working a number of uninspiring day jobs I decided to return to school and complete my BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Humanities at The University of Arizona. Upon graduation, I worked as kindergarten teacher in Sells, Arizona for two years and then as a first grade teacher and a fifth grade teacher for TUSD here in Tucson.
During this time I was playing locally with an Irish/Tex-Mex Americana band called The Mollys. Towards the end of my fourth year of teaching, The Mollys found an agent who offered to book tours in Canada and the US. I left full time teaching and had the good fortune to travel the US, Canada, Italy, Australia and New Zealand as a musician and songwriter while continuing to work as a substitute teacher between tours. I did my last tour when I was seven months pregnant with my daughter, Emily. I am now retired from touring but I continue to play locally.
I’ve spent the last few years working for TUSD, first as a third grader teacher, and most recently as a middle school Language Arts, Reading, General Music and Choir teacher. I am endorsed as a reading and music teacher and I love to share my passion for literature, music and all the arts. I’m excited by the innovative project-based curriculum at Paulo Freire and look forward to being a part of the opening of the new school downtown.
When I’m not working, I enjoy hanging out at home with my husband, daughter and new puppy, Rosie. I enjoy cooking, reading, movies and swimming. I am currently working on my Masters in English at The University of Northern Arizona and plan to be finished by mid-summer so that I can throw all my creative energy into being a humanities teacher at the new Paulo Freire downtown.
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