I am proud to be beginning my 40th year as a Physical Education teacher at Poudre High School. Throughout my career, my greatest passion has been helping students discover that health and wellness can be a lifelong journey—and that taking care of yourself can be both challenging and fun.

I teach Physical Education at Poudre High School, including Yoga 1, Yoga 2, Weights 1, Volleyball, and Sports Officiating. I also teach concurrent-enrollment courses through Front Range Community College. I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and my master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

In 2013, I was honored to be named Colorado Teacher of the Year. While that recognition is something I am incredibly proud of, the accomplishments that mean the most to me are the relationships I have built with students over four decades and the opportunity to watch young people grow in confidence.

For 30 years, I also had the privilege of coaching volleyball before retiring from coaching. That experience reinforced many of the lessons I try to bring into my classroom every day: have the courage to try hard things, support the people around you, celebrate progress, and above all, be kind.

My goal is for every student who comes through my classes to leave with more than just physical education credits. I want them to develop the confidence to try something new, the resilience to work through challenges, and the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices throughout their lives.

Outside of school, I love being active and spending time outdoors. Gardening, cycling, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, and camping are some of my favorite ways to stay active and connected to nature.

I am married to Jimmy, a retired teacher who now works as a historian and writer. We love spending time with our daughter, Amelia, and her husband, Clay Oberg. Amelia is a Physical Therapist at Rebound Sports and Physical Therapy, and Clay owns FOCO Upholstery.

After 40 years in education, I still feel incredibly fortunate to come to work each day. Teaching has given me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people, and I am grateful for every student, colleague, coach, and community member who has been part of that journey.