Home: Birch Bay-Blaine, WA. Birthplace: Seattle, WA. Profession: Special education and exceptional needs certified independent care provider. Organization: Direct Care Washington. Pronouns: She/her. Alma mater: University of Washington; Western Washington University; Western Governors University. Languages spoken: English and Russian.
Current project: Supporting local initiatives in home health aide and respite care services. Recent recognition: Recognized by Western Governors University for excellence in educational research. Recent professional development: Awarded renewal of National Boards Certification in exceptional needs specialist. Hobbies: Drawing birds and flowers, gardening, sailing, hiking, biking and travel. Recent travel or adventure: Sailing through the Broughton Island Archipelago and hiking and biking in Western Scotland and the Isle of Skye. Last book read: The Beak of the Finch, by Jonathan Weiner.
Personality profile: Flexible, kind, compassionate, thoughtful and a cup-half-full type of person. Moral compass: The Golden Rule. How do you define a perfect friendship? Good communication, making time for each other, easy conversation, nonjudgmental, reflective and kind. What is your greatest joy? My family. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Surgeons. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Natural and herbal-scented lotion and soap. What is at the top of your bucket list? Seeing the northern lights in Norway. How do you relieve stress? Exercise and meditation.
What was your first paying job? Working at an ice cream and hot dog stand in Pike Place Market. What was your favorite college course? Medieval Russian History. What book have you repeatedly read? Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Barack Obama. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Owning property is better than having money in the bank. What is your go-to source of news and information? Stephen Colbert. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Being a special education teacher during the COVID pandemic.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
More access to support and services for those with special needs outside of the school system.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Don’t make assumptions about people. What mega-trend most concerns you? Artificial intelligence.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Always Be Open to Your Path and Your Journey. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Jodie Foster. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My father. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My great-grandfather’s walking stick. What advice would you give your younger self? Life will be full of ups and downs. To fully appreciate the highs, you have to experience the lows.
Personal motto: Stop. Breathe. Listen. Look. Think. Act. Favorite quote: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" (Mary Oliver). Desired epitaph: She kept rambling along like a babbling brook.
