Faculty Profile

Biology Instructor

Education/Degrees:

M.S. – Major in Zoology emphasis in Ichthyology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
B.S. – Major in Zoology and Minor in Environmental Science, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Classes Taught:

About Me:

I am from Central Illinois. But I grew up a proud ‘Army Brat’. My family lived in many places in the United States and Germany. I graduated from high school on the army base, Fort Knox in Kentucky. I attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for college. As a graduate student I was a teaching assistant, giving me the first real opportunity to teach. After college I worked as an aquatic biologist for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. During summer field seasons, we worked with crews of college interns. We collected data that supported the Clean Water Act and gave interns on the job training on how to sample aquatic communities and measure aquatic habitat quality. Later I got married, moved back to Illinois, and became a mom. That led me back to teaching.

Why Spoon River College?

I started teaching at Spoon River College as an adjunct instructor in 2012. I was hired as a full time instructor in 2014. What I enjoy most about teaching at Spoon River College is the small classes and the laid back atmosphere. Everyone here really wants to help our students succeed!

Advice for Students:

The best advice I would offer students is to try as many new things (classes, hobbies, make new friends) as you can during college. It is the best time to find yourself!