I moved to New Market to fulfill my dream of living near a lake. We moved here over four years ago from the Mt. Airy area. I love the outdoor activities that Lake Linganore offers, especially being able to hike and paddle board. I find so much peace in seeing all of the nature that is so close such as eagles, osprey, deer, and muskrats. I am a nurse who transitioned into teaching and am also a Navy Nurse Corps Veteran. I’m a wife and mother of 18-year-old twin boys who just graduated. Both of my boys have decided to enter the trades instead of attending traditional college and I couldn’t be prouder!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to my husband for 24 years. We met in college in Dallas and have spent most of our married life in MD. We have twin boys who just graduated this year, and they are both entering the trades instead of going the traditional college route. They both love working with their hands. One has been an electrician apprentice for almost a year and the other will be attending school to become an aviation maintenance technician where he will learn to fix planes and helicopters. We also have two dogs, a Plott Hound mix and a beagle.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been a nurse for almost 20 years. I started in pediatrics and then moved back into adult medicine. I served in the Navy Reserve Nurse Corps where I had the honor of caring for current and past service members and their families. The most notable placement was caring for our Wounded Warriors as they returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. I then transitioned into school nursing and became a school nurse in Carroll County. I had always been interested in the education side of nursing and jumped at the chance to teach seniors in high school who are interested in a career in healthcare ,mostly nursing, but we get all areas of interest. I love inspiring my students to enter a field that is hurting so much after these last few years. It makes me proud that I am helping to fill the empty slots available in healthcare jobs. I especially love seeing a student that thinks they want to be a nurse, but after learning about all of the options in healthcare, decide to change paths. It’s awesome to open their eyes to all of the options healthcare has to offer. It’s way more than nursing! Our students have the opportunity to earn up to two state certifications and one national certification, plus BLS!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born and raised in MD, other than a few years in Dallas for school. I moved to Mt. Airy and then New Market and have lived in New Market for almost 5 years. I have worked for Carroll County Public Schools since 2012.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The most interesting person I’ve met in New Market is the owner of Stage Line Coffee Roasters. As a former Navy Nurse I have a soft spot for Marines. I love that he has created something that our community needed; a place to get coffee. I’ve only met him a couple of times, but I think it’s great that he is now serving our community after serving his country.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Try to live a life of no regrets!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
See Zion National Park and Iceland.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The lake at Lake Linganore and all of the nature that is there to see.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Still doing what I’m doing
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I get rejuvenated in nature.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Anywhere in nature. Anywhere from the deserts of Arizona to the Alps of Austria.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite because I love food!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Appalachian Trail. It’s beautiful and is so close!
Q: What person, event or experience has made the greatest impact or inspiration in your life?
Being commissioned as a Navy officer and caring for our service members has impacted my life. The Navy has given me leadership skills that I use in my classroom and seeing the young Marines resilance after being injured is so inspiring!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would meet with Mother Teresa at Prospect Pantry. She inspires me with how she loved her community.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfort, quiet, beautiful
