I graduated from Albion College in 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. I then worked at a small publishing company as a copy editor, then managing editor, then editor in chief for seven years until I quit to be a stay-at-home mom. 

 

My husband John and I have been married since 2004. We bought our house in Rochester that same year, in large part because of the school district. We have two children: Jonathan, who graduated from Adams last year and just finished his first year at the University of Michigan, and Luke, who just finished up his sophomore year. 

 

I began volunteering in RCS when our oldest started kindergarten at Meadow Brook Elementary. I volunteered in the classroom, the media center and eventually got involved with PTA. I began by co-chairing Staff Appreciation. Then I served as secretary for one year before spending three years as President, including during Covid. I also chaired Authors in April, Green Schools and Reflections. Then I served as the PTA President at West for two years while co-chairing Authors in April there, heading up concessions and helping with the Green Schools and the Student Service Club. 

 

My time on PTA Council began during my last year as president at Meadow Brook. I served three years as Vice President of the Council, helping to run meetings, planning district-wide events (I chaired District Reflections for a couple of these years), meeting regularly with district administration, and meeting monthly with the presidents of each school’s PTA. Then I served three years as Council President. During that time I created and implemented a new event, College 101, which just had its second annual occurrence. I also led a National PTA Marquee Event this past fall, collaborating with our district, local PTA leaders and the team from National PTA. Through PTA I have earned a School Founders Day Award at Meadow Brook, a Council Member of the Year Award in 2021  and then the John Schultz Award in 2024. 

 

I also serve on the Authors in April board. I began volunteering with Authors in April at Meadow Brook. I have now been a board member for six years. My primary responsibilities are serving as the PTA Council Liaison, and also the chair of the Banquet and Auction Committee. 

 

Two and a half years ago I began working part-time at Barnes & Noble. I’m now a Senior Bookseller and the store’s Children’s Department Specialist. 

 

Additional volunteer activities include 15 years as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Vacation Bible School program at St. John Lutheran Church in Rochester Hills. I also spent several years volunteering with an organization called Mothers of Preschoolers (now Mom Co.). I co-lead a group at St. John for moms with children birth through kindergarten, then when my youngest entered kindergarten I became a local coach/volunteer with the organization, overseeing 20 local groups in Southeast Michigan.