I grew up on a small Wisconsin farm. When I was very small my family had oxen because we did not have enough money to own a horse or tractor. The names of the oxen were Jack and Jumbo.

My faith as well as my interests in social studies, art. and science were developed in my family. My father was an artist as well as being a farmer. With the help of my family, he built a stone house. The rocks were from our farm. He split each of them by hand. It took him five summers to build the house.

My family has a museum and nature preserve and we share our interests with many children and adults who come to visit.

I taught kindergarten for three years in Merrill, Wisconsin. From there I went to the Territory of Papua and New Guinea and worked on a Lutheran Mission station for two years. I taught New Guinea children and worked with teachers of the area.

I returned to the United States and taught third grade in Wausau, Wisconsin, and third grade at the University of Iowa Elementary School in Iowa City, Iowa. At the University of Iowa I also supervised student teachers and taught mathematics and social studies methods courses.

Since coming to the University of Northern Iowa I have taught curriculum, storytelling, science methods, and social studies methods courses. Work in elementary classrooms with children in Iowa and Wisconsin continues to provide opportunities for trying new ideas with students.

I have written curriculum materials for church schools and taught many age levels in church settings.

I also serve as a visitation pastor at St. John American Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa.