I am a graduate of Emory University (Atlanta, GA) and hold Master's degrees in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine as well as an undergraduate degree in General Psychology. I have a 4 year certificate in Education in Ministry from the School of Theology at the University of the South at Sewannee, TN. and also hold a certification from the American Council on Exercise as a Certified Personal Trainer.

My teaching philosophy involves three basic principles:

 1)      I am dedicated to creating an environment of interactive involvement, whether the classroom is online or face-to-face.  In order to effectively learn something, our student has to be engaged enough to commit to the process.  It is the instructor’s responsibility to create an atmosphere that is safe yet challenging, wherein the student chooses to become part of a dynamic learning space.

 2)      I am passionate about creating a spirit of cooperation and collaboration in my classes.  I am and have been an educator for more than 20 years but I will spend the rest of my life as a student.  I feel it is vital that people understand that learning is not confined to a classroom, online or otherwise.  My oldest client just turned 94 years old and recently presented a PowerPoint presentation on nanotechnology and its medical uses, not because he had to but because he wanted to share what he had learned with other people!  I challenge my students to become educators by encouraging them to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences that are relevant to our discussions.

 3)      I am adamant about making sure that the material I teach is both relevant and applicable to a person’s life outside of the classroom.  Most people choose to learn something when they understand its benefits to them.  Without this context, few are motivated to succeed in the academic world.  Once a subject becomes immediately applicable and relevant to my students, they engage in taking responsibility for both their experience and its consequent outcome by constructing meaning for themselves out of new information and that’s when I know that their learning has been successful!

My husband and I own a Health, Wellness and Longevity consulting company in Tarpon Springs and I work with clients from 9 years old to 100 (currently our oldest).  We have 6 kids (who were home educated for much of their schooling) and are now empty-nesters, except for one small and slightly vicious, black cat!  We became grandparents 8/1/17!

I teach various Psychology courses at SPC.  Besides teaching, I enjoy reading, international travel, hiking and camping (I have 5 Eagle Scouts to my credit!) and anything that involves sun and fun!  I am also an active Rotarian and enjoy working on projects such as Habitat for Humanity and the Rotary Shelter Box program which has provided so much aid in Haiti, Chile and other places ravaged by natural disasters.

To My Students:

I look forward to learning about each of you and I encourage you to contact me if you need a helper, a cheerleader or a kick in the backside.  I am pretty good at all three!