I have the pleasure of co-instructing the Recreation Programming class with my colleague and friend Donna Tilsner.

When I was a junior in college I discovered that I could turn my passion for sports, parks, outdoors, recreation and people with disabilities into my career. I have now been in the amazing field of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services for 15 years. As a professional I worked in many diverse settings. As a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist I worked with juvenile delinquents, the elderly sick in nursing homes and the active elderly in the senior center. Eleven years ago I truly found my home as I entered the world of Community Recreation as the Adaptive Recreation Supervisor for the City of Edina. For nine years I offered programs for people of all ages and abilities. Spending the first 13 years of my career programming in many settings to many populations gave me a wide variety of experiences. As a recreation programmer we are a jack of all trades. We are marketers, leaders, teachers, accountants, sales professionals, and much, much more. Every day brings new and exciting challenges. I received my Masters of Education in Recreation Administration from the University in 2006. The helped me obtain my current position of Assistant Manager at Edinborough Park.

I practice what I preach. If I am not at work you will find me Biking, Running, or Rollerblading on the trails. I also love boating, swimming, skiing (snowboarding), and campfires. I am also the mom of two (Abbey and Joey) very active children. I spend many weekends in the Hockey Rink or at Baseball Fields. In 2006, I started MN Special Hockey, the first stand up hockey program for people with developmental disabilities. I am currently the President/Executive Director to this amazing program. Fortunately I am married to a man (Doug) who also enjoys keeping busy and active.

Revised June 2009