Occupation: After working in the Sandy Hook School library for six years, last summer I was ready for a change, so I joined the staff of WMNR Fine Arts Radio in Monroe, where I'd freelanced for years. I am the Communications Director and Major Gifts Officer. I do tasks from running the station's social media, to planning events for major donors, to writing the e-newsletter.

My husband Tim and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this October. We have John, a junior at the University of Pennsylvania; Marc, a senior at Newtown High School who is going to Northeastern next year; and Anne Marie, a freshman at NHS.

Family:

Pets: When the comfort dogs came to SHS, I finally understood the power of pets and gave in to my children's pleas for a dog. Soon we welcomed Lewis, our beloved Havanese. I'm nuts about him - I didn't know what I was missing!

How long have you lived in Newtown? We arrived from Sydney, Australia, in October of 2000. We are from New Hampshire and Wisconsin, but we met in Philadelphia. It was work that took us to Australia and work that brought us to Fairfield County.

What do you like to do in your free time? I am on the board of the Newtown Scholarship Association and on the Council of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Monroe. I'm a fan of the New York City Ballet - I go to performances when I can, follow the dancers' Instagrams, read reviews. I like yoga classes at the Newtown Yoga Center. I'm involved in gun violence prevention activities. I'm a big reader. I also love a good catnap.

Do you have a favorite author? I buy out all the ballet biographies at the annual C.H. Booth Library book sale. Some of my favorite authors are Julia Glass, John Irving, Peter Carey, John Updike, and Marilynne Robinson.

What is your favorite travel destination? We went to Disney World for the first time in years recently, and I'd forgotten how entertaining it is. I also like Wisconsin at the Fourth of July with my in-laws and New Hampshire ski destinations with my nephews.

What is the best part about Newtown? I love the Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet & Voice! NCCB has existed for decades in town, and we're lucky to have training and performance of this caliber in a small town. I go to the Adult Ballet Class on Thursday nights. I'm the longest consecutively enrolled student.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My mother for imparting a sense of gratitude and service to others. My father for his calm, reasonable manner. My sister and brother for our collective sense of humor.

What is your favorite food? A perfect avocado, tea, coffee, peanut M&Ms, Snickers, homemade cake, or pie. I also like what I call the Double Cow - a sugar cone of Cow Tracks and Salty Cow ice cream at Ferris Acres.

Who is your favorite musical artist? WMNR is a primarily classical music radio station, so I'm developing a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship involved in composing and performing classical music. I'm drawn to composers who have created music for ballets I love like Nyman, Hindemith, Tchaikovsky, Copland, and current-day artists like Nico Muhly and Sufjan Stevens.

Do yoI appreciate Stephen Colbert's sense of humor on u have a favorite TV show? John Oliver's The Late Show. Last Week Tonight is terrific, too. My daughter and I have been enjoying Rise. Also, my husband and I always watch Saturday Night Live, and we still laugh at evergreen Seinfeld.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Trying my best to keep it all together as a mother, citizen, and SHS staff member in the aftermath of 12/14.