Where were you born?
I was born in Moline, Illinois, but I’ve lived in Waukee since I was in the second grade.
Tell us about your family.
My husband and I have been married for three years. My parents and older brother live in Waukee, and my younger sister is moving to Indiana
in September.
Tell us briefly about your current career.
This is my sixth year of teaching P.E. at Prairieview School. I’m also the varsity head softball coach, and I give individual youth softball lessons on the side.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I’ve always been interested in athletics. I graduated from high school as a four-sport athlete. I was very fortunate to receive all-state honors, and to be part of state championship teams in track and softball.
I played softball for four years while attending the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and took my fifth year of eligibility to play basketball. In college, I received All-American honors and played on two national championship teams. After college, I played on a professional softball team called the New England Riptide in Massachusetts.
In my free time, I love to work out, run, play all types of sports, hang out with friends and spend time with my family.
What do you like most about living and/or working in Waukee?
I like Waukee’s close community feel. Even though it’s growing, it has maintained its small-town atmosphere.
What motivates and inspires you?
My faith journey has truly inspired me to push through the challenges I have experienced. My outlook on life is to fight through the battles and to view the glass as half full, not half empty. I try to teach valuable life lessons to my softball girls, because there is so much more to life than just the game of softball. For example, I try to show them that they’re always going to face setbacks and obstacles in life, but if they keep doing the right thing and stay on their path, good things will eventually fall into place.