Were you born in Bluffton? Graduated from BHS in what years?
My family moved to Bluffton in the summer of 1975. I started Bluffton Elementary School that fall. I rode the bus over to Beaverdam Middle School for 6th through 8th grade. I was at Bluffton High School from 1984-88.
Share some memories about growing up here. School, friends, teachers, etc.
I have good school memories. I remember Mrs. Shetler reading Charlotte's Web to us in 3rd grade, and Mrs. Hostetler reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to us in 4th grade. I loved playing 4-square at recess, and also the horse-swings. In middle school I have specific memories of the big tables in the art room, and working on color wheels and designing a record album cover. I remember Mr. Wright's science classes, and particularly an assignment where we had to classify sea shells. In high school I took Latin class with Mrs. Weaver; connected to that was Latin Club and the yearly Roman Banquet where we wore togas. I also have good memories of playing in the marching band at football games, and with the pep band for basketball games. During my senior year, I walked over to the elementary school every day (during a study hall period) and helped out in Ms. Basinger's 2nd grade class. She had been my own 2nd grade teacher. I loved that! I knew that I wanted to be a teacher, and that was probably my favorite part of the school day. I think Mr. Shaner in the guidance office helped set up that arrangement.
What was your major in college? Have you enrolled in and/or completed an advanced degree?
I graduated from Goshen College (Indiana) with a major in Elementary Education, and a minor in ESL (teaching English as a Second Language). In 2008 I completed a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin.
When did you leave Bluffton and what did you do after leaving here? How did you end up in Madison? Are you currently working outside the home?
We got married in the summer of 1992 and my husband and I moved to Madison because of his graduate school program. I found a job right away because of my ESL degree. I was a K-5 ESL teacher for five years, and loved it. Many of my students were Hmong, and so I was on a learning curve about Hmong history, language and culture. I was home with our two boys during the years they were little, teaching an occasional adult ESL or citizenship class. I went back to an elementary school classroom when our youngest son went off to 1st grade himself. I am currently a 3rd grade teacher. I really like that age of student--old enough to do some big projects and deep thinking, but young enough to enjoy singing and playing games.
Tell me about your family -- husband, kids. And now your parents are living in Madison, correct?
My husband works as a fiscal analyst for the state of Wisconsin. He also likes nature photography and biking. We have two boys; our oldest is a sophomore in high school, and our youngest is in 8th grade. They both like soccer and music. My parents (Mary and Denny) moved to Madison when they retired, and it has been fantastic having them here with us. We go to the same church, so we see them a lot. My mom is super helpful to us, taking turns getting the boys to and from sports, school and music events (of which there is a never-ending list!)
I know you've written two children's books. Any others? Are you working on the next one? Tell me about each book and give a brief synopsis.
The first book I wrote was called Praying with our Feet, and was a child's perspective of a peace walk. It is a picture book that was illustrated by Ingrid Hess and published by Herald Press (2005). The book I just wrote is called On the Zwieback Trail, and is an alphabet book where each letter is connected with a person, place, food or event from Russian Mennonite history. That is my husband's family heritage. Each page spread is a collage of historical photos, maps, and artifacts. Sprinkled throughout the book are some line drawings by John Klassen, whose sculptures can be seen on the Bluffton University campus. On the Zwieback Trail was designed by Julie Kauffman and Judith Rempel Smucker, and published by Canadian Mennonite University Press (2011). Judith has Bluffton connections as well, through the Smucker family. There is actually another book called Just Moms, in which I have a story. Just Moms is a collection of writings by mothers, reflecting on parenting experiences. That book is published by Barclay Press (2011). Right now my Dad and I are working on a high school Sunday School curriculum of Anabaptist History. Earlier this school year we co-taught the youth Sunday School class at our church, and used the curriculum there.
Your dad has written a lot of books. What was his first response to your first one? Did you worry about that at all or did you seek advice from him?
My Dad has always been my personal walking encyclopedia for anything related to church history or theology. So I talk with him a lot about whatever projects I am working on. He is always interested and supportive.
Your dad has written a lot of books. What was his first response to your first one? Did you worry about that at all or did you seek advice from him?
My Dad has always been my personal walking encyclopedia for anything related to church history or theology. So I talk with him a lot about whatever projects I am working on. He is always interested and supportive.
My guess is that you love to read. Do you have a favorite book? Author?
Yes, I do love to read. My favorite series are the ones that a lot of kids/youth read. I have enjoyed Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, the Mysterious Benedict Society, Warriors, Redwall and Fablehaven, just to name a few. If I'm working on my own writing project, I do a lot of reading related to that. So, in the past few years I've read a lot of Mennonite history texts and memoirs.
So...aside from writing kid's books, what else do you enjoy doing? Any hobbies?
I play with the Madison Flute Choir. There are about 20 of us, and we have the full range of flutes: bass flute, alto flute, C-flute and piccolo. We practice weekly, and perform at various places around town and in neighboring communities.
What do you like about Madison? Can you see any similarities to Bluffton?
We have enjoyed being in a University town--there are a lot of music, art and sports events that we attend on the UW campus. There are also nice lakes in Madison, so even though we live in a city we do a lot of swimming and boating (canoeing, kayaking) in the summers. Our neighborhood within Madison has a Bluffton-like feeling. Just two blocks away from us is a corner with a library, a coffeeshop and an ice cream shop. Whenever we walk up there we end up visiting with neighbors or school friends. That reminds me of walking downtown in Bluffton. We were also well-connected to a church community in Bluffton, and that is the same for us here.
What is on your bucket list of things to do?
I have often thought that at some point in my life I would like to open up a small bookstore with an emphasis on children's literature.
