As I embark on my 17th year as a school nurse in the breathtakingly beautiful Mat-Su Borough School District of Alaska, I am filled with pride and gratitude. Currently, I am stationed at Mat-Su Central and cherish every moment of my time here, tending to the well-being of our community.
My nursing journey began with a clear intent - to specialize in psychiatric nursing. However, destiny had a different plan for me. When I stumbled upon the opportunity to become a school nurse, I set my sights on achieving this goal with unwavering determination. After completing my preceptorship at a middle school in the Anchorage School District, I graduated from UAA nursing school in 2005. Subsequently, I spent two years caring for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral needs as a psychiatric nurse before joining the WMS nursing team in 2007. My children were in elementary, middle, and high school then, and even now, as they've grown into adults, my love for my work has only deepened.
Apart from offering my extensive nursing experience to our community, I enjoy creating programs that foster social and emotional mindfulness. My classes provide students with a safe space to explore their emotions and practice mindfulness strategies, enabling them to tackle the world's challenges with renewed vigor. Whether it's the Rubik's Cube or Cloudspotting Club, I imbue each class with the power of mindfulness, touching the hearts and minds of our young learners.
At Mat-Su, we believe in providing trauma-sensitive education to all our students. As a member of the district's trauma-sensitive team, I spent four years leading the charge at Wasilla Middle School, sensitizing our teachers to the impact of trauma on our students, their families, and our community. My ongoing goal is to equip our teachers with the tools they need to be aware of trauma's effects on student learning and behavior and help our students achieve their full potential socially and academically. I also believe in being sensitive to the triggers that students might experience and ensuring that every interaction we have with them is filled with compassion and empathy.
In these pandemic times, I've worked tirelessly to help school nurses create online platforms and continue delivering their services through web-based tools. I believe nursing care must be accessible to all, and I'm committed to making that a reality.
Beyond nursing, I am an explorer at heart. In the breathtaking mountains of Alaska, you can find me snowboarding, biking, snowshoeing, kayaking, and hiking with my wife and two dogs by my side. When not out in nature, I indulge in my passions for photography, drawing, water and oil painting, and colored pencil drawings. As the Owner and Director of my own company, Path of the Heart, Inc., I help others follow their passions and promote Whole Health Education and Mindful Living.
Let's continue to spread kindness and compassion and explore the vast possibilities of a mindful life together!