TEACHER
Graduated from Fairmont East HS, Kettering OH
Graduated from Miami University, Oxford OH
Graduated from West Texas A&M Univ, Canyon TX
BS Degree Mass Communications, Miami University (Oxford, OH)
Post-Bacc Theatre Education, WTAMU, Canyon, TX
Certified in: Theatre, Speech/Debate, Business, Journalism
I am also a Certified Master Financial Coach through Dave Ramsey, Inc.
I am starting my 10th year at Bushland HS. This is my first year to teach Theatre Arts at Bushland and I’m SO excited! I look forward to a fun and productive year!
I will also still be teaching Dollars & Sense, which is a personal finance class geared towards seniors who will be living on their own soon.
For the past 9 years, I have taught Professional Communications and been the coach for the Speech & Debate team. I have taught various other classes such as a Media Studies class, Hospitality, Information Technology, and Introduction to Business Finance/Marketing/Management. For the past few years, I have facilitated Dual Credit Speech, Psychology, and Sociology.
Prior to coming to Bushland, I worked at Amarillo High as their Credit Recovery/GED teacher/facilitator.
I was a stay-at-home mom for quite a few years, but prior to having children, I lived in New Hampshire and worked for the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine as Production Editor.
I have 2 adult children. Taryn, who lives in Round Rock and teaches voice/piano/guitar, as well as being a certified Zumba instructor and teaching at Southwestern University. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance with a minor in Musical Theatre from Southwestern University. My son, Michael, got married last year to his high school sweetheart, Ciara. He holds a degree in Theatre (acting/directing) from Abilene Christian University. They recently moved back to Amarillo and I am now blessed with my first grandhild, Addilyn Marie Stafford! Ciara will be finishing her BSN at WT.
I have 4 dogs: a Wire-haired Pointer mix, and 3 rambunctious Corgis!
I also have a Standardbred horse, Molly, who I adopted from New Vocations. They rescue and retrain race horses for 2nd careers.
I enjoy gardening and home improvement projects. I love to cook, as well as go to upscale restaurants.
I’m a snob when it comes to wine, coffee, and chocolate!