Collaboration is essential for educators to succeed. Learning from one another and receiving guidance from mentors and school administrators helps us bring out the best in ourselves for our students. Programs like Kutztown University’s Teacher Leadership Academy provide professional growth and development opportunities without requiring us to leave our students.

I was born and raised nearby in Berks County. I received my undergraduate degree in elementary education from Shippensburg University and a master’s degree in classroom technology from Wilkes University.

I have always wanted to be a teacher. My parents are retired teachers, and I have an uncle and an aunt who are retired teachers. Even my brother went into teaching! Teaching runs in my family. I grew up understanding the complete picture of teaching—the public perception and the private impact. I also knew from an early age that I wanted to pursue a career where I could positively impact other people's lives.

I have been privileged to teach at Schuylkill Valley Elementary School for the past 19 years. Every year, I witness a new group of students develop and mature differently. My colleagues also inspire and motivate me to be the best teacher and person I can be, both for my students and myself.

Last fall, my principal and superintendent introduced me to KU’s Teacher Leadership Academy. I had never heard of anything like it, but it sounded like something that could inspire new growth in my learning and teaching.

I was so right! The KU Teacher Leadership Academy has benefited me in many ways, and I'm not even finished with it yet! It has sparked my learning in ways I haven't experienced.

I've been introduced to incredible professors and the dean at Kutztown University—people I probably would never have had the opportunity to interact with otherwise.

The KU Teacher Leadership Academy has allowed me to connect with long-time peers and newer ones. I have been able to try new things and learn from those who are younger and newer to the profession than me. I even had the opportunity to travel to California with some of my peers and present at a conference. I will have another chance to present with the Kutztown professors at a state-wide conference in October. These professional growth and development opportunities would not have come along without the academy.

When I started the academy last year, I collaborated with Dr. Meg Norris and co-taught some small group lessons in my ELA class. These co-teaching opportunities showed me new and creative ways to meet the students' needs while challenging them. The readings we did as part of the academy opened my eyes to new thoughts and ideas in education, some of which I have already tried.

I jumped into the academy and took this leap of faith while teaching. Initially, it may have seemed overwhelming, but it was the best decision for me and my students. I would choose to be part of this academy 100 times over.

The KU Teacher Leadership Academy is just one example of PASSHE schools' many initiatives to prepare and support current and future educators in the commonwealth.

I’m not done yet. I hope to begin working on a doctorate through Kutztown University next year. The excellent staff I have worked with at the university have shown me that I am meant to be in higher education. I will continue to be the best teacher I can be for my students.