I first graduated from UNCW with a degree in Psychology and then went back to school to get my second degree in Elementary Education.

After teaching for several years at Bradley Creek (Title I Reading, Kindergarten and Fifth Grade) and Williston Middle School (7th grade Math/Science, 6th grade Science/Social Studies/Language Arts), I finally found my home at CFCI in 2001. I was the first middle school teacher that CFCI hired when then decided to expand from a K-5 school to a K-8 school! After being a middle school teacher for several years, when a position opened in 3rd grade, I jumped at the chance to get back into elementary school, and have been in the 2/3 loop ever since!
Since I have been at CFCI, several wonderful things have happened. In 2005 I got married to Aaron Gardner (but still haven’t changed my name…maybe one day). We do not have any kids but do have the cutest little puggle puppy in the world name Hula. After getting married, I earned my Master’s Degree in Language and Literacy and am now certified as a Reading Specialist for grades K-12. I also achieved my National Board Certification while undertaking my Master’s Degree. I am a life-long learner indeed!

When I am not at school, I enjoy being on and around the water with my family. We are either out on the boat or playing in the pool. Aaron would love for me to go surfing with him, (because that is his favorite thing), but I’m not very good at it! That’s okay though because I did teach him how to snowboard and we love to do that together whenever we get the chance!