I currently serve as a counselor and life coach for teen parents. While working full-time as a life coach, I received my doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh. My doctoral dissertation, Voices of Teen Mothers: Their Challenges, Support Systems and Successes, focused on what, in effect, helps to keep teen parents in high school and achieve graduation.

Prior to working with a concentrated group of teen parents, I worked as director of the newly-formed Lawrence County School-to-Work, Inc. As School-to-Work director, I worked to empower students, K-12, to explore and make solid career choices. During my time with School-to-Work, I sought to incorporate the program and obtain 501c3 non-profit status. As a result, School-to-Work continues and is nearing 20 years of operation.

I also hold a Masters in Counseling Education K-12 from Westminster College and a Post-Baccalaureate in Elementary Education from Slippery Rock University.

I authored the books, ABCs for Mommy! and ABCs for Daddy! Part of the Young Parenting Seriesand hope to add ABCs for Grandparents!in the future. The books promote building positive character traits in our daily lives.

My husband, Matthew, and I are the proud parents of 14-year-old twins, Melina and Mark. We reside in western Pennsylvania.