I am a Wildcat – born and raised! I went to Plymouth Elementary, Santa Fe Middle School, and Monrovia High School. University of La Verne, Cal Poly Pomona, and Azusa Pacific are where I went to college. I am an Angels Baseball and Marvel Movies fan. I love to travel and keep a corkboard map to track places I’ve traveled. My goal is to one day take a class at Wheelhouse Ceramics Studio in Monrovia!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My mom, Arlene, lives in Monrovia still, and I have two younger brothers, William and Mark, who no longer live in Monrovia, but who gave me my nephews, Luke, Westley, and Benjamin.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have wanted to be a teacher since my first day of Kindergarten at Plymouth Elementary. Mrs. Gearhart was my teacher, and she was amazing! Along my MUSD educational journey, other great educators continued to stoke the flames of my desire to teach. I am now lucky enough to call many of them my co-workers, as I teach moderate/severe special education at Monrovia High School. I love my job because of my wonderful students and their families. Seeing growth in my students is hard work, but it is extremely rewarding.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love the nachos at Sena, a gigantic iced pearled Jasmine tea at The Loose teas, and everything is wonderful at The Diplomat!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived here nearly my whole life, minus 4 years of college. I have worked at Monrovia Unified for 15 years this year.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I met Mike Scioscia, former Angels manager, at the Monrovia Boys and Girls Club; he was a down to earth and nice guy!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would travel to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, and then plane-hop around Europe to visit as many countries as I could!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
An all-time classic movie that I enjoy is “The Sandlot.” I watch it at least once a year.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be kind, open, and understanding to others. These have been a difficult few years for many, and a little compassion goes a long way.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I want to travel to Japan and explore, but take a cruise back to Seattle. It just sounds like such a unique experience.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, and the Eagles.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Friday Night Street Fair as a whole is nostalgic for me. When I was in middle school, it was my first taste of freedom when my Mom would allow me a few hours there with my friends.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would love to sit down at a restaurant with my friend and fellow MHS alum, Lisa. Probably to The Diplomat. It’s been a long while since we have been able to do that.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the pride that people have about living and working in Monrovia. The most unique thing I love is the street art: sidewalk poetry, painted utility boxes, and Monrovia-inspired painted bears.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
This is a tough question… I would like to own my own home, have a nice yard, and a dog I can take on walks.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A weird one would be that my eyes are two different shades of brown.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Another tough one, but I have always said I would go back to Perast, Montenegro in a heartbeat. Such a small, beautiful town on the Bay of Kotor.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite holiday has always been the 4th of July. As a child, we had amazing pool parties at my grandparents’ house. As an adult, I attend the local parade in the Mayflower Village.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The book “The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls. OR the song “Hotel California” by The Eagles.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My loved ones – in different parts of my life, they inspire me to be a better person and better in whatever I take on in life.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Orange/citrus
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfort, Relaxation, and Loved-ones
