Comments:
A lot has happened since 1983!
I attended Dr. Martin Luther College in and graduated in 1987 with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. During my senior year, I traveled to Cape Coral, Florida, for a travel canvass witnessing trip ... where I met my husband Pator Tom Smith. (It's amazing how God brings people together!)
I taught grades 1-2, coached girl's sports,and played organ for one year at Grace Lutheran Church in Durand, Michigan.
After a year of writing letters and phone calls, my husband and I got married on July 3, 1988, and I moved to Cape Coral, Florida. I enjoyed playing organ and helping with ministry at Abiding Love, a mission congregation. In addition, I worked with before and after school child care programs run by the City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department.
We were blessed to become parents when Katrina Lynn was born on November 9, 1989. We have many memories of these early years and family visits to the warmer climate!
In January of 1992, my husband accepted a call to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Owatonna, Minnesota. Two weeks after our move, we were blessed again when Martin James was born on January 23, 1992.
As a mom of young children, we balanced our schedules so I could work as Site Supervisor and later the coordinator of School Age Care programs run by the school district.
I got the urge to teach again, so I returned to college at Concordia, St. Paul, MN, to obtain my early childhood and parent education licenses. I served as an early childhood teacher and parent educator with the Early Childhood Family Education program, sponsored by Owatonna Public Schools for eight years. During this time, the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to write parenting articles for Lutheran Parent Magazine.
I completed the post-baccalaureate program at Martin Luther College in 2004, so I could be licensed to teach grades K-6 and social studies in grades 5-8.
After two years of experience teaching in a variety of settings -- subbing, after school, charter school, and summer school settings,I got a position teaching 4th grade with Faribault Public Schools. I've completed two years and feel very blessed to work with wonderful students and colleagues. Some day, I hope to obtain a master's degree. Meanwhile, I take graduate classes regularly to grow professionally.
At church I direct children's music, and assist with early childhood and youth ministry. I've served on Lutheran Pioneer District Council and Lutheran Women's Missionary Boards ... were I helped coordinate two national conventions!
Some of our favorite memories include time with our family traveling to many places including Florida, Texas, and out west to the mountains. I especially enjoyed hiking in Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies near Banff, Alberta.
It has been a joy watching our two children grow into young adults over the years. Katrina just graduated and plans to study at Wisconsin Luther College and Martin will be a high school junior. I especially enjoy attending concerts, parades, and theater events where our children have been involved.
In my spare time (which isn't much), I enjoy time with my husband and kids, cooking, traveling, reading, and playing piano.
