Education:

M.Ed., Chaminade University of Honolulu  2005

B.F.A. in Media Arts, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY  1989

East Grand Rapids High School  1985

Additional Studies: 

L'Industrie Superiore per le Artistiche University in Urbino Italy;
the University of Michigan; Texas Christian University, and Grand Valley State University.

Professional Background:

     I began my professional career working in the marketing department for E.P. Dutton Books (now Penguin USA) in New York City.  At this time I continued the free-lance illustration and design I began during my undergraduate work.  Around 1992 I moved to Maui, Hawaii and began painting for fine art galleries eventually co-owning and operating my own.  My tremendous zeal for education began in 1995 when I accepted an invitation to be an artist-in-residence for the Hawaii public school system.  In 2003 I accepted a full time position at Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus as a secondary art teacher while I completed my masters in education.
     Since returning to my home town in Michigan in 2005 I have worked as an adjunct instructor to the Art History Department at GVSU; I taught secondary visual art and technology at Black River Public School in Holland; and I was part of a group of educators who founded Grand River Prep High School in Kentwood.  I have been very lucky to have adventured and experienced many different places and cultures in my life - professionally and through travel abroad.  It is with these rich experiences I enthusiastically join the excellent school community of EGR.  I am so happy to have the opportunity to work with you all!