She received a Doctor of Education in educational leadership in August 2011 and a Master of Arts degree in educational technology in August 2007 from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and early childhood in May 2004 from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She teaches courses in elementary and early childhood education. She also supervises teacher candidates and works closely with local elementary schools, even teaching one of her university courses in a local elementary school classroom. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and has been the advisor for the local NSU AEYC student group.