Being nominated to the 2021 Hall of Fame by the Summerville High School Foundation is a great honor. I am truly grateful for the recognition. As a proud Summerville High graduate, I represent the efforts of my teachers, coaches, family, and friends, all of whom contributed to the person I am today.
My journey began in 1979 when my family moved from Santa Clara to Long Barn at the start of my fourth-grade year. I attended Twain Harte School, graduating in 1984 as valedictorian, and a Summerville High graduate in 1988 with honors. I can say with certainty, the quality education I received prepared me for the goals I have achieved today as a school leader. My educational roots are deeply planted in Tuolumne County.
During my years at Summerville High, I had the opportunity to participate in multiple facets of high school life. Being a three-sport athlete, playing volleyball, basketball, and softball, enabled me to experience the importance of learning to be part of a team. Athletics taught me endurance, perseverance, grit, and humility. I learned how to be coached, how to win, how to lose, and how to lead. One of my greatest honors during my senior year of varsity volleyball was being nominated as the Mother Lode League’s Most Outstanding Player. Our coaches, Debbie Mager, Jim Epperly, Harry Shaw, and Larry Gold (fellow inductee shout-out) dedicated their efforts to our teams, teaching us invaluable life lessons. The enduring friendships I made with my teammates continue to this day.
Student Leadership was another influential facet of my experience at Summerville. Representing the Class of ‘88 each year was not only invaluable but fun! Building quality relationships with fellow representatives and classmates, as well as staff advisors, helped to enrich my leadership and communication skills. I was honored to be nominated by the Rotary Club as the Girls’ State Representative for our class.
My most memorable academic experiences at Summerville included competing in the Academic Decathlon my junior and senior years. Wayne DeGennaro coached our teams through rigorous preparation and competitions. Participating in the Bear Bowl during lunch led to my love of trivia! Taking four years of Spanish, and two years of French with Dr. Paquette and Senor Borrego gave me a strong foundation for working with English Language Learners in my tenure as an educator.
The teachers and coaches at Twain Harte School and Summerville High modeled positive examples of the influence educators can have on their students and school communities. We know the importance of having at least one caring adult take interest in a student’s progress and well-being during their time in school. I was fortunate to have those caring adults encourage, challenge, and invest in me. I have never forgotten the impact of their guidance and compassion. I will be forever grateful for Debbie Mager, Dr. Mary Paquette, Coach Ronten, Senor Borrego, Stan Cross, Don Moore, and the administrative leadership of Dennis Wong, Dave Urquhart, and Doctor Thorstead.
After my time at Summerville High, I moved on to attend St. Mary’s College of Moraga, graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor’s degree in Integral Studies. After my undergraduate work, I attended San Jose State University simultaneously earning my Master’s degree in Sociology and multiple subject teaching credential. My career in education began in 1995 in the Evergreen School district in southeast San Jose. Working with an incredible administrator and supportive grade level team, I was able to learn from the best as I developed my skills as an elementary school teacher. In 2001, I moved from the Bay Area to the Sacramento region, joining the Folsom Cordova Unified School district where I continued my career in education. Earning my National Board Certification in 2005 was a highlight of my professional development as an educator. I spent 22 fun-filled years in the classroom, and am currently in my fifth year of administration as a site principal at Mather Heights Elementary on the former Mather Air Force Base outside of Sacramento.
Growing up in a close-knit community provided many opportunities to join and participate in extracurricular activities. I was willing to try just about anything that was offered. Choir, sports, academics, student leadership, lifeguarding, you name it! What a rich upbringing. My parents always encouraged and supported my siblings and I through their love and dedication. I know getting the three of us to practices, games, performances, and competitions couldn’t have been easy, but they made it possible for us to thrive. I am full of gratitude for their efforts, and the efforts of my teachers and coaches. I would also like to add that none of this would have been possible without the support and love of my life-long friends. Our class and our community are uniquely close and will always be connected. For that, I am forever humbled and grateful.
One of my most influential mentors had a bumper sticker in her classroom. It read, “The world is run by those who show up.” You don’t have to be the greatest, the fastest, or the smartest. You have to join in, participate, and show up. You never know what it might bring you… 33 years later! Go, Bears!