I graduated from St Olaf majoring in German. Since then, Minnesota has been my home. Taught German, English as a Second Language and then on to learn Spanish. I completed my advanced degrees in administration at St. Thomas. I became the first principal of Emerson Dual Immersion school in Minneapolis where my students became bilingual in Spanish and English. (My students were 50% English speakers and 50% Spanish speakers.) After 12 years there, I served at the district office as Director of Multilingual programs and Assistant Superintendent. It is fair to say that I have spent my whole life and career in school!

I learned how to be a teacher from my favorite teachers! Especially, Frau Wernecke and Fraulein von Scheidt. They inspired me to want to see and understand the world and people who were different from me. I was given so many opportunities and am very grateful!
As a principal of a new magnet school in Minneapolis,I knew that we needed to select a mascot. The staff engaged the Student Council in choosing one. Obviously, it had to be different from all the existing mascots/ schools. When they came to me with their choice, they knew that I had to agree. Luckily, they chose PANTHERS!!