Panther Tracks

I have been married to my husband, Brad, for 16 years. We have three boys. AJ is 15 and a sophomore; he is just about to drive!! Lukas is 13 and is in 7th grade. Jack is 11 and is in 5th grade. All three boys play basketball and keep us very busy! We also have two dogs, Scout and Max. I also have a mini horse named Rudy who lives at my parents' house with his friend Donkey Ranger.

What is something that makes you really proud?

I am very proud of my children and all that they are accomplishing! They are turning into kind children who work hard and care about others. I also feel very proud of the accomplishments that my students make every day. The growth and learning I see is amazing!

What is your favorite hobby?

At this point in my life, my hobby is watching my children play sports! Between the three of them, we have something sports-related almost every day!

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food right now is avocado toast and eggs! I look forward to it every morning!

What is something you have learned lately?

I am trying to learn patience and that I don’t always have to make everyone else happy! I am trying to make an effort to slow down and enjoy spending time with the people who mean the most to me!

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I would like to be a dog. They are always so loyal and so happy to see their people! They just like to hang out with their families!

What is your favorite thing about Prairie Grove?

I love so much about Prairie Grove!! It is the only place I have ever taught and I have made some of my closest friends here. I have never had such a supportive group of people surrounding me! I look forward to seeing them every day! I have also met some amazing families here! I love having them come back and visit year after year! There are families whom I have taught all four of their children! That means so much to me!

Tell us about your family.

My parents immigrated from Poland and raised me with a strong belief in hard work, kindness, and the power of education. They always reminded me to take pride in learning and to use it as a tool to grow and give back. Caring for others and spreading kindness are values that are very important in my family. We love spending time together, especially on family ski trips and cruises. I have two brothers, one in high school and one in college pursuing computer science and engineering. My mom works as a Big Data Engineer at AT&T, and my dad is a detective, so dedication and service to others have always been part of my life.

What is something that makes you really proud?

I’m proud of many of my accomplishments and my education, including becoming a police officer and currently an auxiliary officer. I’ve earned two associate degrees, one of which is in science, completed by taking additional courses in science and math because I love these subjects and believe they are very important. I also earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and an endorsement in middle school math, and I am currently just one course away from earning a science endorsement as well. I hope to continue my education by pursuing a bilingual endorsement, since Polish is my first language and I also speak some Spanish, along with a master’s degree in leadership or human resources. In the future, I would love to connect all of my experiences and grow into a leadership role, or possibly pursue a law degree focused on educational law.

I’m also incredibly proud of my parents, who have shaped who I am today. Both of them came to the U.S. knowing no English. My mom recently graduated with her second master’s degree, her first being an MBA and her second in computer science from Notre Dame. She has always taught me the value of education, how far it can take you, and the importance of setting big goals.

My dad served in the Army, completing a full tour while deployed to Iraq and also helping as a translator while I was growing up. He later became a police officer and has received multiple life-saving awards as well as Officer of the Year. Beyond that, he has dedicated his own time to giving back to his community and building strong relationships with its members. He has always taught me to be selfless and kind, to care for others whenever you have the opportunity.

What is your favorite hobby?

I love painting and anything art-related. I also enjoy traveling and photography. Capturing moments and experiences is something I really value.

What is your favorite food?

I love Polish food, of course, but Italian food is a close second! Gnocchi is one of my favorites, and I will never say no to pierogi.

What is something you have learned lately?

Lately, I’ve been reminded how much the math we learn in class connects to real life. Going through the process of buying a car for the first time and organizing events for the student council showed me just how often we use skills like calculating interest, percentages, and budgeting. I love being able to share these real-world examples with my students so they can see how important math is beyond the classroom.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I would be a sloth! They’re calm, gentle, and observant, and I believe in taking the time to do things thoughtfully and carefully. I also think they’re adorable, I even had the chance to hold one while visiting Honduras, which made me love them even more!

What is your favorite thing about Prairie Grove?

My favorite thing about Prairie Grove is the strong sense of community. Families, students, and staff truly support one another, and it feels like a place where everyone wants to see each other succeed.