I grew up in the very small town of Santa Ynez, California where I spent every minute of free time in the pool swimming competitively, playing water polo, lifeguarding, or teaching swimming lessons. When I wasn't in the pool I could usually be found singing. My mom got me started in my church's children's choir when I was 5 and I have been actively involved in a number of school and community groups ever since. I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2003 to begin my undergraduate years at University of Puget Sound. I graduated in 2007 with a BA in Psychology and Comparative Sociology then entered Puget Sound's Master of Art in Teaching program. By the time I received my MAT in Elementary Education in the summer of 2008 I was engaged to Dave and looking forward to starting my new life in the Vancouver area. Since moving here I have been working in a number of local school districts as a substitute teacher, and I'm looking forward to having a class all of my own someday soon! Dave and I were married in March 2009 and are parents to two rambunctious cats Jaeger and Bacardi. We really enjoy singing and being goofy together, and we love being a part of the TOC family!