About Me

My interest in earth science and geology dates back to when I was a teenager, many years and a few inches ago. My 9th-grade science teacher ran an after-school organization that introduced students to rock-climbing. Climbing provided a great introduction to my studies of geology and the process that made the cliffs I climbed. So if you think identifying rocks in class is hard, try doing it while suspended 90 feet in the air.
Originally from Minnesota (and yes, I am aware of my accent), I spent winters buried in snow and summers on the lakes. Pursuing my interest in earth science led me to the University of Minnesota Duluth for my Bachelor’s degree and then to the University of Northern Colorado for my Masters. I have always known I wanted to teach. Before coming to Palomar Community College I have had the opportunity to teach at the middle/high school and university levels. However, I found teaching at the community college level to be the most rewarding. That is why I could not be more excited to have found my way to Palomar College.
Teaching at Palomar is a full-time job, and then some. What little free time I have is spent with my black lab, Zero, and exploring Southern California. I confess to being a bit of an adrenaline junkie –from skydiving to bungee-jumping, rock climbing to downhill skiing, I love it all.
I am also addicted to travel. So far I have been lucky enough to study abroad in Australia, work with habitat conservation in New Zealand, take a cultural and geologic tour of Hawaii, and conduct geologic fieldwork in Sweden. I can’t wait for my next adventure!