"I always knew I wanted to be in education. Even as a little girl, I was helping others. I grew up as a lifeguard, teaching kids how to swim, and working with students was always something that felt natural to me. I never really wanted to do anything else.

I started college at GCC, transferred to Fredonia, and told myself I was getting out in four years — and I did. It wasn’t easy. When I graduated, the job market was tough. There were hundreds of people applying for the same positions, so I did whatever I could to stay in the field. I worked at a daycare, subbed, was a TA — anything to keep myself connected to education and build experience.

I taught for 17 years and wore a lot of different hats. I taught pre-K, AIS math, reading, middle school math and science, and an interventionist for the elementary school. Wherever I was needed, I said yes, because staying in education and working with students mattered more to me than anything else.

Teaching wasn’t just my job — it was part of who I was.

After 17 years in the classroom, my life changed in a way I never expected. My husband passed away unexpectedly. He was also a teacher in the district, and being in the same space without him was incredibly hard. He used to call me on my work phone and ask what I wanted for dinner. When those calls stopped, I knew I needed a change — not because I didn’t love teaching, but because everything felt different without him.

That change brought me to Genesee Valley BOCES. I interviewed on a whim, encouraged by a friend, and here I am. Now, as a Coordinator of Instructional Services, I support more than 22 districts, create professional learning opportunities, collaborate with educators across the state, and work every day to support student learning across our region.

At the same time, I went back to school to earn my administrative degree. I did it as a single mom of three, through late nights, pauses, and moments where I wasn’t sure I could keep going. But I kept going — for my kids, and for my husband. He knew becoming an administrator was something I always wanted, and I carried that with me through the hardest parts. I kept telling myself, I’m doing this for you.

When I finally earned that degree, it didn’t feel real at first. Now, it feels like proof that even after loss, you can keep moving forward — and that perseverance, love, and purpose can carry you through".