I have my <strong>MA</strong> from <strong>Ball State University</strong> in Curriculum and Educational Technology. I earned my <strong>BS</strong> in Elementary Education from<strong> Indiana Univeristy</strong>, while raising my children. I completed a large portion of my classes online with a final GPA of 3.57.<br /><br />I spent 5 years as a <strong>5th grade General Education</strong> classroom teacher with full inclusion and students learning English as a New Language. During my time in the classroom, I was nominated for Teacher of the Year three times, started an afterschool Mentoring Club for 5th and 6th graders, served as team leader for classroom management professional development, and participated in continuing education that I brought back to my team during Professional Development sessions. I currently hold my Professional Educator's License, expiration 2025.<br /><br />After leaving the classroom, I started an <strong>auto repair business</strong> that I operate with a veteran in the field. I <strong>own and operate</strong> every aspect of the business and have shown an average 30% increase in gross revenue every year since the business started. The facility has become a neighborhood staple in a rejuvenated suburb on the east side of Indianapolis. Of all auto repair shops in Indianapolis, we recently earned 4th in the 2016 Indy A-List. &nbsp;<br /><br />My son serves in the US Air Force, my daughter is a Sophomore at Indiana University, and my youngest child has been recently selected to play saxophone in the high school marching band as an 8th grader. &nbsp;<br /><br />I am currently serving on the board of the fundraising committee for a local not-for-profit organization that provides wrap-around services to individuals experiencing homelessness. I also coordinate and direct an Ice Cream Social which serves as the main fundraiser for the Historical Society in which my business is located. Both positions are volunteer.