I have worked as a teacher for 25 years with 21 of those years teaching in Saint Paul Public Schools.  Phalen Lake Hmong Studies has been my school home for over 15 years now, and I hope to have many more years here!  My two daughters attended Phalen, although they now attend an SPPS middle school and high school, so I was once a Phalen parent too.  I am proud to be part of a staff of language teachers who strive to meet the needs of our multicultural and multilingual students, families, and community.    I enjoy my role as an EL teacher, and I also love my role as part of the Phalen Lake Garden committee.  Our school garden has an outdoor classroom and several garden beds.  I help coordinate summer garden care with our Phalen staff and families.  This outdoor space brings so much beauty, wonder, and learning opportunities to our Phalen community.

In my free time, I love to go for walks and hikes with my husband.  I also enjoy watching movies and cooking with my daughters.  At home, I am an avid gardener of fruit, vegetables, and herbs.  In addition to my edible garden, I am working on landscaping with native and pollinator-friendly plants.  My family and I are interested in living in a more environmentally sustainable way.  Reading and writing are hobbies I enjoy too!  I truly love learning.  I am a life-long learner in both my personal and professional life.