Occupation: I am the retiring assistant principal at Reed Intermediate School here in Newtown. I have been at Reed Intermediate for 17 years as a teacher or administrator. I started teaching in 1983 in Long Beach, Calif. I also taught in Hartford, Conn. I retired June 30 after 32-plus years in teaching.

Family: I have been married to my husband, Mike, for 34 years. We are thrilled to have one daughter who went through the Newtown Public Schools and is now an animator.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We moved to Newtown in December of 1997.

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to bake in my free time. I learned from a long line of bakers: my Mom and my Grandma. I am still not at their level, but I keep practicing.

What is your favorite travel destination? This is a hard one. I have been lucky enough to travel to Mexico, Canada, Spain, Italy, and France. I have loved something special about each country and am so thankful to be able to travel with my family.

What is the best part about Newtown? For me, the best part is the Newtown Public Schools. I have worked with some of the best teachers and paras I have ever met. They work so hard and change lives by helping students become their best selves. Our secretaries and custodians are the unsung heroes doing all of the behind-the-scenes work. Our nurses have been invaluable to keep us healthy and safe, especially this year. Our support staff, who have worked with students and staff, supporting them through many of life’s challenges. And our administrators, who lead the district in a positive direction. I have been lucky enough to work with two incredibly smart and dedicated leaders, Anne Uberti and Matt Correia. Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not say how much my husband and I appreciate all the teachers who worked with our daughter. I will forever be grateful to all of the teachers and staff who worked with her.

Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? I decided to be a teacher and have to thank my parents, who were both teachers. They loved their work and made it look easy. Now that I have done it, I know it was never easy for them; they just loved what they did. My brothers have had a huge impact on my life. They taught me to be strong and to be myself. They gave me confidence and were my first cheerleaders. I am where I am in my life because of them. I really love spending time with their families and my parents. I guess that is a testament to my parents’ love and partnership.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? My Dad would always say to me, “Did you do the best you could? If so, that is all you can ask of yourself.” I have lived by that.

What is something you cannot live without? Family. They support you, challenge you, and make you the best version of yourself. I really love spending time with my whole family.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Raising a great kid. There have been a lot of teachers that have helped me with that, but I still think it is my proudest accomplishment.