I grew up in Britton, South Dakota. In 1986 I earned my first BS in Accounting from Black Hills State University. Later I completed a BS in Elementary & Middle School education from Sioux Falls University and Hamline University. My masters degree in education is from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. From 1992-1999 I owned and operated a fine arts school in Sioux Falls, SD where we taught vocals, piano, drama and six styles of dance. In August 1999, my family and I packed up and moved to Minnesota where I began teaching middle school at Chisago Lakes. My husband(full-time fire fighter in Richfield, MN) and I have four children. Carlee - 24 - Graduated from Aveda and is currently working at the Regis Salon in Stillwater, MN. Guy - 22 - is a full time firefighter/medic in Rapid City, SD. Caycee - 22 - Attending Dakota State University in Madison, SD where she is working on her BS. Chelsea - 21 - Attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND.