SPC was my first college home and my first job out of grad school.  I discovered in grad school how much I really enjoyed the academic environment, and a special mentor at USF convinced me that I would enjoy "moving to the other side of the podium" as well.   I earned my AA from SPC, a BA in Biology from USF, an MA in Physical Geography from USF (where I had the privilege of being a grad assistant in the USF Weather Station), and was pursuing a doctorate in Science Education when I was given the opportunity to teach science at SPC.  I've held some wonderful jobs over the years -- managing a nature park/environmental center, TV meteorologist, working for an environmental/recycling firm -- but I've always returned to my first love, teaching college students.  I have taught science at SPC for over 25 years and physical geography at USF for 15 years.  After leaving in 2007 to pursue a life-long dream -- living in the mountains of North Carolina -- I'm enjoying spending my winters back in Florida teaching.

I live half the year in western North Carolina, where my daughter attends Western Carolina University.  Living in this beautiful setting allows my husband and me to indulge in our favorite past-time -- hiking (also white-water rafting and zip-lining!)  Living there also gives me the opportunity to experience first-hand the notoriously unpredictable mountain weather.