Autobiography

I was born in Idaho in a town so small and remote that it didn't have a hospital. On the night of my birth there was a terrible blizzard, even though it was only November, so my parents were glad they made it safely to the doctor's home, where I was born.

Along with two younger sisters, I grew up hiking, swimming, fishing and enjoying life on a ranch. I didn't particularly like school until I was in about the 7th grade. My favorite subjects in school (in junior high and high school) were history, literature and science. When I was a junior in high school, I was able to take French and I really liked it. In addition to French, my favorite classes in high school were World History, Advanced Biology and Creative Writing.

I ended up majoring in French at the University of Idaho and I received my BA in French with a minor in Spanish and a minor in Secondary Education (along with a teaching certificate) in 1976. I loved college life, and it's too bad, really, that I rushed through so fast, finishing in 5 semesters.

I married as soon as I finished school and substitute taught while my husband completed his education. His first post-college job was in Roseburg, Oregon, where we moved in 1977. We lived in the Priest River, Idaho, area from 1979 until 1984, then we moved to Kettle Falls, Washington, where we lived until 1987. From 1987 until 1991, we lived in Golden, Colorado, then we moved to Salem.

We are the parents of eight children. The oldest is 32 and the youngest is 13. Two of them are still at home, the 13-year-old and her brother who is 16. Six of my children are graduates of South Salem High School. Go Saxons!

Obviously, I am not a digital native. We bought our first computer in 1988--a Mac Classic. I learned how to use it by practicing the tutorial, which began by instructing the user in proper mouse use, and by experimenting with it.

We've had a number of computers since then--both PC and MAC--and our family of four keeps three computers pretty busy today. We all have cell phones, I skype with my grandchildren and our kids have blogs and I'm on facebook. So, although I am not a native of the digital country, I am certainly a naturalized citizen.

I have many hobbies and interests; I've been through many experiences; I'm focused on the future and grateful for the opportunity to participate in the MAT program.