I was born and raised in Northern California. I graduated from Yuba City High School and began college at Yuba College. I met and married my husband of 50 years. I received my degrees in Political Science and History from Chico State University. My husband was a second-generation commercial beekeeper and I worked side-by-side with him for 20 years. I learned to drive trucks, forklifts, and tractors as well as work the bees. I went back to school and earned a teachers credential and was a history teacher for Oroville High School and then Las Plumas High School for 25 years. I retired from teaching in 2010 and have been on the OUHSD Board of Trustees since 2014.