I grew up in the Kansas City area, and graduated from the University of Kansas
in 1996. After graduation, I taught science, dance, and social studies at a
high school in the Shawnee Mission School District for five years. But
then... the "travel bug" bit me, and I decided to move to Mexico! I spent
four years as a middle & high school science teacher at ASFM (2002-2006).
In that time, I also completed my Masters Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies,
through Buffalo State University. I also have a Certificate in College
Counseling from UCLA. In the fall of 2006, I began working as the College
Counselor here at ASFM. I am very happy to add that in February 2008 I
married my husband, Roberto, and we welcomed our daughter, Amelia, to the
family in September 2010. I am very happy to call Monterrey my home, and
thrilled to work in such a wonderful school as ASFM. The 2011-12 school year
represents my fifeenth year as an educator, my tenth year at ASFM, and my
sixth year as the College Counselor. (And may I just add here... I LOVE THIS
JOB!!!)
I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was 15 years old. Education is
basically my family's business. One of my grandfathers was a professor of
religion at the university level; another was the dean of a college of
agriculture. My great aunt was a Ivy League university registrar for 42
years. One of my aunts served as the vice president of a college, and I have
an uncle who is a university professor. My mother and father both taught
elementary school, and some of my earliest memories are of helping my mom
grade papers for her second graders (even before I was in second grade). I
have several other aunts and uncles who have been or still are teachers, and
my brother is a classroom-based behavioral specialist and is married a
teacher. When I was growing up, many of our family vacations included college
campus visits. I have family members who have attended Ivy League schools and
"Colleges That Change Lives." In some ways, I feel like I was destined for
this job.
As for me, I LOVED my college experience at the University of Kansas. My
obsession with KU is probably apparent, if you've ever been to my office
(okay, it's a shrine to the Jayhawk!)... but I promise that I will only
recommend that you apply to the University of Kansas if it is truly a good fit
for you! I love learning - in fact, I've taken at least one course from seven
different universities. However, I didn't do a very good job of finding the
right college for me until the second time around. I transferred to KU after
my first year at a selective college that shall remain unnamed - but trust me,
I was miserable. It was the right place for some people and it was great in
the rankings, but it wasn't for me! My counselor (who shall also remain
unnamed) didn't really know how to help me find a place that was perfect for
my needs... and although my father pushed me to look, I was focused on other
things that were happening NOW (during my junior and senior year) rather
than focusing on my future. What I can tell you is this: There is NOTHING that
will motivate you to find the right college like being at the wrong one!
Please, don't make the mistake I made. Don't procrastinate. This is your life.
One of the things I love about being your college counselor is that I get to
try to do a better job. I get to help you find the information you need. I
get to encourage you to focus on the present AND the future. But the thing
is... it's still YOUR decision, YOUR job, to make this decision. I promise
I'll be your biggest cheerleader through the whole thing.
My Mission:
It is my goal to provide each high school student at ASFM with the guidance
and resources to get into a college or university that fits their needs.
To achieve that goal, I will...
1) Assist students in the process of learning about themselves and determining
their future career interests.
2) Provide guidance and assistance in all aspects of the college application
process, whether the student decides to apply to schools in Mexico and/or
outside of Mexico.
3) Always be available for guidance and help, but still leave the onus of
responsibility upon the student, because he or she is the one who must own
this process and the final decision.
