Spring 2025

Section 6762 of KINES53
Principles of Health and Wellness -- : Jan 13 - May 16 2025

Fall 2024

Section 1602 of KINES53
Principles of Health and Wellness -- : Aug 19 - Dec 13 2024

Summer 2024

Section 8844 of KINES53
Principles of Health and Wellness -- : Jun 17 - Jul 28 2024

Section 8958 of KINES53
Principles of Health and Wellness -- : Jun 17 - Jul 28 2024

No office hours

Degrees:
M.S., Exercise Science, The George Washington University School of Public Health, Washington DC
B.A., Mass Communications and English, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Yoga Credentials:
500-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Body Balance Yoga at Oasis Yoga Spa, Solon Ohio
200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Asheville Yoga Center, Asheville North Carolina

Professional Certifications and Certificates:
American College of Sports Medicine - Health Fitness Specialist
American Council on Exercise - Group Fitness Instructor
PhysicalMind Institute - Mat Pilates Instructor
Real Balance - Health and Wellness Coach
Road Running Clubs of America - Running Coach
Total Barre - Instructor Course (Foundations, Endurance, and Special Populations)
American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists - Nutrition Specialist
American Red Cross - CPR/AED and First Aid

Academic Experience

Santa Rosa Junior College, 2014 - present, Kinesiology Instructor
Intro to Kinesiology
Principles of Health and Wellness
Yoga (Beginning, Intermediate, Gentle, Vinyasa Flow)
Barre
Pilates
Pilates Yoga Fusion
Body Conditioning
Walking for Fitness
Jogging for Fitness


Cuyahoga Community College (Cleveland, Ohio), 2008-2014, Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Faculty Coordinator for Sport and Exercise Studies A.A.S. degree program
Personal Health Education
Intro to Sport and Exercise Studies
Fitness and Wellness Coaching
Exercise Prescription and Program Design
Exercise for Special Populations
Sport and Exercise Physiology
Teaching Exercise Techniques
Principles of Sport Management
Principles of Sport Coaching
Yoga
Pilates
Personal Fitness Development
Personal Strength Development
Cardio Fitness

College of the Albemarle (Elizabeth City, North Carolina), 2004-2008, Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education
Personal Health and Wellness
Fit and Well for Life
Yoga
Pilates
Weight Training
Walk, Jog, Run
Aerobics
Physical Fitness

Northern Virginia Community College (Alexandria, Virginia), 2004, Adjunct Instructor of Physical Education
Yoga
Aerobics

The George Washington University (Washington DC), 2002-2004, Exercise and Sport Activities Instructor
Yoga
Pilates
Weight Training
Jogging
Step Aerobics

I was born in Fargo, North Dakota and grew up across the river in Moorhead, Minnesota. (And yes, people there do have the accent you hear in the film "Fargo."). I was a dancer and loved activities like cycling, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing (Minnesota, remember). I started teaching group fitness classes to my peers when I was an undergraduate student and continued moonlighting as a group exercise and yoga instructor throughout my first career in print and radio journalism. Eventually I decided my part-time job was more rewarding and returned to school so I could work full-time in health and fitness, with the goal of teaching at the college level. Along the way I've lived in eight different states before arriving in California, the place I described in my high school journal as my dream destination.

Professional Areas of Interest

Wellness
Wellness Coaching
Yoga
Yoga and Mental Training for Athletes
Nutrition
Body Image and Eating Disorders
Mind-Body Practices
Stress Management
Online Teaching and Learning

Professional Involvement and Community Service

Memberships:
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Yoga Alliance
American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists (AASDN)
Empire Runners Club

Welcome to my Homepage and to SRJC! I'm thrilled to be teaching at Santa Rosa Junior College and living in Sonoma County after 10 years of teaching in Ohio and North Carolina. My mission is helping and guiding people to discover how wellness, self-care, and physical activity can be part of good health, achieving goals, and loving life. Some of my favorite things to do include practicing yoga, working out (especially barre, Pilates, and circuit training), running, reading fiction and non-fiction, writing, beach combing, sharing conversations and laughs with friends, exploring the Bay Area and Wine Country, listening to all kinds of music, watching baseball, and traveling. I hope you'll join me in a class soon.