Although both my family and my school were financially poor, I was fortunate enough to have good teachers. They taught me that challenges should not be used as an excuse to fail, but as a motivation to succeed, and awakened in me the desire to become a teacher myself.
After I finished school, I had to go to work to help my younger brothers and sisters. So my dreams of teaching were put on hold for a while. Then in 1989, I met my future husband, himself a teacher, and in 1990 I came to Texas where we were married.
Although my English wasn't (isn't) always the best, Southwest Texas State (now, Texas State University) took a chance on me, and in 1992 I received my teaching certificate. I began working as a substitute teacher in 1993. 1993 was a banner year for me for another reason. It was in that year that I became a naturalized American citizen.
I began teaching full time in 1994.
I'm regarded as a "tough" teacher because I refuse to let any child give up on learning. Still, my students generally seem to enjoy class, at least in part because I truly believe learning can be fun.
I firmly believe it is not only my job to teach the all important "3R's" but to teach an additional 3R's as well. They are: Reason - the ability to think for yourself rather than blindly following someone else. Respect - pride in yourself and your own uniqueness and equally, appreciation for the worth and diversity of others. Responsibility - accepting that your daily conduct not only impacts you, but influences all around you as well.
Most of all, I am keenly aware that I do not have all the answers. So, I am always anxious for your input.
The thing I like most about teaching at Timmerman is the large number of parents who regularly take time in their already busy schedules to take part in our school activities both during and after school hours.
Presently, I live with a cat who rules the house, a husband who thinks he does, and a cantankerous computer that has increased my husbands vocabulary of unsuitable word ten fold. In my spare time I enjoy gardening ,dancing, and eating foods with unpronounceable names, ingredients that make my students go "yuk", and drive my husband out of the house with their smell. I don't care. They're good!
