Hello, fifth graders! I grew up in North Hills, just outside of Pittsburgh.  I moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1989.  While living with my aunt, I attended Towson State University and received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  I also attended Western Maryland College, where I received my master’s degree in Special Education. I have taught in Baltimore City, as well as Howard County, before moving to Virginia in 1998. I have been teaching for 29 years, 23 of which have been in Loudoun County. My oldest daughter, Alyssa, is a software engineer at Microsoft, in Seattle. Brenna is a junior in college and my son, Bobby is a junior in high school. I'm looking forward to an amazing year in fifth grade!