I am a mother, educator, and fitness enthusiast who loves serving her community and family. I earned my undergraduate/graduate degrees from Michigan State University and have worked as a licensed speech/language pathologist within the medical field and local school district for the past 24 years. In addition, I am a certified personal trainer/fitness instructor who loves to challenge my clients to reach their maximum potential. I feel my two careers compliment each other with the knowledge I have about the mind and body connection.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband Michael and I have been married for 23 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters. Our oldest daughter, Isabella, was a 2020 graduate of Dakota High School and is currently attending Michigan State University. Our youngest daughter, Bianca, is a sophomore at Dakota where she is part of the Varsity Dance Team.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am blessed to have 2 careers I absolutely love and find rewarding. I have worked for Utica Community Schools for the past 13 years as a speech-language pathologist. Working with children of all ages has been what I love most about my career. In addition, I was able to take my love for health and fitness and turned it into a second “career” as a personal trainer/fitness instructor. Most people around the Macomb recognize me from the Macomb Township Recreational Center where I spent 15 years teaching/training our community.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Our family loves to get carryout from Sahara. We love the food and atmosphere at Da Francesco’s Ristorante if we want to go out.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived and worked in Macomb for the past 24 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A client of mine who is originally from Ireland would be the most interesting person I have met in our community.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Hawaii because it is one place I have never been and I want to go someday.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I do not watch a lot of TV or movies but enjoy reading medical journals and research. I am a nerd in that respect.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I always tell my daughters knowledge is power so always try to arm yourself with as much information as possible to make informed decisions.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Learn to be a better swimmer.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I would say classical music.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Blake’s Orchard is a place I find most nostalgic about our community because it reminds me of when my kids were younger.
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?
Dr. Simone Gold because she is an amazingly smart doctor and lawyer and I would love to pick her brain. I would take her to Da Francesco’s Ristorante.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I feel our community is family friendly.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself continuing to work, educate, and grow with my interests.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Something interesting most people don’t know about me is that I would like to go back to school and become a lawyer.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The most beautiful place I have been was Greece.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month be October because it is our anniversary month. Favorite holiday would be Christmas. I would have to say there are 2 best days of the calendar… my girls birthdays.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A perfect day out on the water with my family.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family inspires me to be a better version of myself everyday.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I love the smell of burning leaves in the fall.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Faith, love, and comfort
