I was born in Romania but moved to Canada when I was 14 years old. I lived in many places throughout Canada and for a short period in China as well. I traveled extensively throughout Europe, North America and Asia but I chose Alberta as home because I like the people, the mountains and the culture. I have a hyphenated identity that was formed in many places by the people I met, the languages I speak and the cultures I learned from. In all that I have seen, I learned to admire the human ability to create beauty and meaning.
I also committed myself to academic learning and earned a BA/BA in Political Science and an MA in Political Science from University of Calgary. Following this I earned a PhD from Carleton University in Ottawa and was awarded the Senate Medal for the thesis: “Alluring Freedoms.” However, the closer I came to an academic career the more I realized that my passion is teaching. This led me to Lacombe Composite High School where I have been teaching English and Social Studies for over 5 years. I enjoy Lacombe and quickly found out that the more I became involved in the school culture, and the more I learned about the students through various extracurricular activities, the more I enjoyed my work. I find teaching most rewarding and I cherish the opportunity to learn from my students on a daily basis.
I also enjoy spending time with my family, my partner and our 11 year old son, and traveling together. We also have a chocolate Labrador Retriever that reminds me daily of how much energy is possible in a living being. I am an avid skier and I seldom pass on the opportunity to ski the Rockies.