Growing up on a small and diverse farm in a nurturing family has contributed to my passion for writing children's picture books with positive messages that have a rural setting and an intergenerational theme. Being an elementary teacher has sharpened my skill as a writer and helped me instinctively know what attracts children to a book. Having a supportive family has been essential.   

1991 Teacher of the Year, Morristown Public School District;
Honorable Mention 2006 Writer's Digest Children's Picture Book Award for Opa & Oma Together, a self-published book;
Presenter at Hamline University Summer Literacy Institute, 2009;
Presenter at Minnesota Education Media Organization Conferences, 2006, 2007, and 2008;
Presenter at North Dakota Library Association Conference, 2007;
Presenter at student teaching seminar, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, 2002-07;
Presenter at state, regional, and national math conferences, 2003-05, 2009
Moderator, panelist, Deep Valley Book Festival, 2006, 2007;
Presenter at Young Writer's Conference, Mankato, Minnesota, 2008;
Presenter at Bloomington Writer's Festival, Bloomington, Minnesota, 2008 and 2009;
Bronze medalist for Big Brother Has Wheels, Independent Publishers, received in New York City, May, 2010.