I grew up in Minooka, IL and graduated from Minooka High School.  I  attended college at Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL.  I graduated with a Chemistry Major and Physics Minor.  Before entering the teaching world, I attended a semester of graduate school at the University of Notre Dame for Chemical Engineering.  After that semester, I was employeed as a technical associate with UCAR Emulsions Systems, a division of Union Carbide/The Dow Chemical Company.  I then moved into chemical sales.  After three years in sales, I decided that teaching would be a better fit for me.  I am attending Lewis University for a Master's in Education.