I am a Culinary Arts teacher in the Distinguished Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. We are part of The Career and Technology Education Department. I attended Richland College and Texas State University. I graduated in 1979...I was very young as you can see in my picture! I have a BS in Education with a Vocational Education Endorsement in Home Economics. This year begins my 41st year in education. I have taught in only 2 schools during my career, the most recent, of course, is TJ! I love TJ and the students here. I feel like this is my school and I get very offended when I hear others put us down. I have had many wonderful experiences over the years. I have sponsored Cheerleaders, Color Guard, and FCCLA. I served on the Resource Bureau in Dallas ISD for FCCLA. I sponsored a student to the national FCCLA Meeting in Chicago. I also taught the Parenting for School-aged Parents for more than 10 years. I was also a member of the CILT team at TJ for many years. I also lead the 504 committee and the AOHT Academy. I have a semi -commercial kitchen. My students run a restaurant for the teachers every week. I teach them to prepare the food for the restaurant and how to serve the guests. Once I have shown the students how to prepare the food, they do all of the prep and service for the week's meal themselves.