I am honored to be named Horbelt Intermediate School’s Teacher of the Year. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. However, I always envisioned myself teaching little ones in an elementary school. When it came time to apply for a teaching position, I landed a job teaching 7th Grade ELA! It was not what I had planned, but to my surprise, I fell in love with teaching in a middle school! It has been 22 years since I began my teaching career at Brackman Middle School. Over the course of my tenure in Barnegat, I have taught 6th and 7th Grade ELA, coached several sports, facilitated many clubs and served on various committees in an effort to help create a positive school environment where teachers and students want to be. I enjoy working with my students each day, molding them into honest, kind-hearted, hardworking scholars, and I am thankful for the support from my talented and dedicated colleagues. Most importantly, I am grateful for the support of my husband, Derek, and our two children, Graceanna and Cael Anthony, of whom I am most proud.