Occupation:Alice in Wonderland, Jr, for NMS that comes out April 6, 7, and 8. I came from a theater background and was a professional child actor growing up, so it's been this wonderful evolution to get to meld that with teaching. It's something that's very near and dear to my heart. I teach eighth grade language arts at Newtown Middle School. I joined the staff last year as a building substitute, doing daily and long-term coverage. I had previously taught in New York City and in Chappaqua, N.Y., and I did that until my first daughter was born. I'm currently directing [the theater production of]

My husband Michael and I have been married for 14 years. We have two really awesome daughters. Madeleine is 12 and in seventh grade at NMS. Sofia is 10 and in fourth grade at Middle Gate.

Family:

Pets: We have a 4-year-old adorable woodle, which is a wheaten terrier and poodle cross, named Frisbee. The two newest additions are our guinea pigs, Georgie May and Cashew.

How long have you lived in Newtown? Almost 13 years. Before moving here my husband and I were working in Westchester County and living in a condo. When we saw our house on Memorial Day weekend, I was pregnant with Madeleine and really wanted a sandwich. Our realtor took us to the General Store and my first Flagpole sandwich sealed the deal.

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to go to yoga class at the Newtown Yoga Center and would go everyday if I could. I love to read, go to the theater, and as a family we love to hike, bike, visit family, and go to the city. I also help with the youth team at St Rose for the Vacation Bible School every year.

Do you have a favorite book or author? I really loved The Help, and along the way I've come to like Jojo Moyes and John Irving. In recent years, I've been trying to read what the kids are reading so I can talk to them about it, so right now I'm reading Cinder.

In the summer, we love going to Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and Amagansett out in East Hampton. The place we go to the most is Roscoe, N.Y. My grandparents bought a summer house there in 1945 and the whole family still goes there.

What is your favorite travel destination?

What is the best part about Newtown? You can have no plans for a whole weekend then open the newspaper and find a million things to do. Coming from NYC, we didn't know what to expect here, but there is so much theater, art, and restaurants. Also, there is only one Father Bob.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? Hands down, my parents and my husband. My parents because of their work ethic and generosity. My mom always says to go out of your way to help whoever you can, and my dad has this way of putting great life lessons into little, tiny sentences. Growing up he'd say to us, "Worry is interest paid on debts that may never come due." My husband inspires me to always keep growing and evolving. He's a great cheerleader to me.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? My grandmother, because I never got to meet her. She passed away when my mother was 17, and I carry her name.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I like rock, jazz, and Broadway music. We just took the girls in December to their first concert to see Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden. It was amazing, because there was every generation you can image there. I think they enjoyed seeing us singing and dancing; and I think they were shocked everyone there knew the words, too.

Do you have a favorite TV show? Fixer Upper. We're in the middle of some renovations on our house, so I'm always looking for inspiration.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? The night before I started teaching, I called my mom and she told me, "If you always put those kids first and be fair you won't make a mistake."

My faith, my family, and really good ice cream.

What is something you cannot live without?

When somebody tells me or Michael that our girls said or did something kind and compassionate. That makes my heart swell.

What is your proudest accomplishment?