Physical Education Department Head
Know Your Pelicans
Why did you choose to work at Packer?
I chose to work at Packer because in my role as P.E. Department Head, I have a real opportunity to dive into curriculum with a seasoned department in order to meet the goals and needs of students.
What work have you done prior to joining Packer?
Prior to Packer, I was the Athletic Director and Director of Development at a school in Westport CT. Before that, I was a PE teacher and three-sport varsity coach at St. Ann's; before that, I was a 3rd grade classroom teacher in Greenwich, CT.
Where did you go to school?
I went to American University for my under graduate degree studying Elementary Education. I have two Masters degrees: A Masters in teaching with a focus on Physical Education and Sports Pedagogy and a Masters in Business Leadership both from Manhattanville College.
What are the strengths of your department?
A strength of our department is that we are cross-divisional, so we get to know every student and see them develop and progress throughout their entire life at Packer from PreK-12th grade. Another strength is we have many seasoned veterans on our PE Department roster, spanning from 25-40+ years of teaching Physical Education.
What are your impressions of Packer so far? Our students? Your colleagues?
My impressions are that Packer is a wonderful place with bright, curious, friendly students and wonderfully supportive, fun, and deep-thinking colleagues.
Tell us about a specific time you found your job especially rewarding.
I find my job rewarding every day because there is always something new that a student learns or accomplishes or tries for the first time and the joy that brings students makes coming to work everyday fulfilling.
Besides your subject, what's something you hope to teach your students?
I hope to teach my students Chess as I love to play and enjoying teaching others how to play and get into this wonderful game.
What's something that most people at Packer wouldn't know about you?
I have three children — aged one, three, and eleven (almost twelve). I absolutely love Disney.
If you had an inspirational fridge magnet, what would it say and why?
"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun." I reference this Mary Poppins quote often as sometimes we have to do things we are not most excited about or strong at, but if we look at it positively and try to make it fun, everything will be much better.
What do you love to do when you're not working at Packer?
I play Basketball and Volleyball; I am a Realtor in CT/NY; and I started a youth track and field program I run on the weekends.