Growing up in Beckley, WV, afforded me the best childhood possible. I learned early on from my family that the key to a good life is hard work. My great-grandpa Sparks was a coal miner and a Baptist Preacher. My grandfather was an Army Veteran, a coal miner, and a family man. My father was a self-made business owner, and my mother & grandmother stressed the importance of working hard to be the best I can be. They all began modestly, but through hard work earned the respect of their peers and community, and built a life for their families.
Hoping to carry on their legacies, I've always worked diligently. I graduated with honors from Concord University with a BA in Graphic Design (2002), and another one in Studio Art with specializations in drawing and painting (2004). I continued my education, graduating at the top of my class with a MAT in Art Education from Marshall University in 2006. Since then, I have completed endorsements on my Master's in counseling and school administration.
I began teaching dance in 1997 for Beckley Dance Theatre under Sherry and Jerry Rose and have since expanded my teaching throughout the country and in studios around my residence in Putnam County. I currently teach at Kelle Boggs Dance Studio in Winfield, WV.
I started my teaching career in public schools in 2002 in Raleigh County. In 2006, I moved to Culloden, and in 2008 I started teaching at Hannan Jr. Sr. High School in Ashton, WV. This is my home away from home. I've never loved students or a community the way I love the Hannan Community. In addition to teaching all levels of art and dance, I am the GEAR UP Site Coordinator, where I have helped push our FAFSA completion rate past 70%. I also sponsor the Conservation Club, Dance Ensemble, and GEAR UP HEROs.
Professionally, I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors for both the WV Dance Company and Kanawha Valley NOW. I was also as a founding member of the WV Dance Education Organization. This is the first professional association for dance educators in WV. I am also a proud member of AFT WV.
In my free time, I love being with my husband, Ammed, and our son, Cole. We garden, cook, and explore together whenever we can. I volunteer to read at my son's school when time permits, enjoy cleaning my community through WV REAP's Adopt-A-Highway, and create art for my business, "More Than Words."
Hoping to carry on their legacies, I've always worked diligently. I graduated with honors from Concord University with a BA in Graphic Design (2002), and another one in Studio Art with specializations in drawing and painting (2004). I continued my education, graduating at the top of my class with a MAT in Art Education from Marshall University in 2006. Since then, I have completed endorsements on my Master's in counseling and school administration.
I began teaching dance in 1997 for Beckley Dance Theatre under Sherry and Jerry Rose and have since expanded my teaching throughout the country and in studios around my residence in Putnam County. I currently teach at Kelle Boggs Dance Studio in Winfield, WV.
I started my teaching career in public schools in 2002 in Raleigh County. In 2006, I moved to Culloden, and in 2008 I started teaching at Hannan Jr. Sr. High School in Ashton, WV. This is my home away from home. I've never loved students or a community the way I love the Hannan Community. In addition to teaching all levels of art and dance, I am the GEAR UP Site Coordinator, where I have helped push our FAFSA completion rate past 70%. I also sponsor the Conservation Club, Dance Ensemble, and GEAR UP HEROs.
Professionally, I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors for both the WV Dance Company and Kanawha Valley NOW. I was also as a founding member of the WV Dance Education Organization. This is the first professional association for dance educators in WV. I am also a proud member of AFT WV.
In my free time, I love being with my husband, Ammed, and our son, Cole. We garden, cook, and explore together whenever we can. I volunteer to read at my son's school when time permits, enjoy cleaning my community through WV REAP's Adopt-A-Highway, and create art for my business, "More Than Words."
Photo by Again Art (http://twitter.com/again_art)