I was born in Wichita Falls, Texas on September 9th.  (The year doesn't matter. )  I have an older brother, Chris, who is just 13 months older than my twin brother, Jeff, and myself.  I grew up in Mackinaw, IL, where I went to Mackinaw Grade School from kindergarten to eighth grade.  I graduated in 1991 from University High School in Normal, IL.  I married Kent Burns on August 15, 1992.  We will be celebrating our 18th year anniversary this year!

  I attended Illinois State University for 3 years before our first child, Griffin, was born in 1994.  I decided to be a stay at home mom and then had our second child, Mikayla, in 1996.  As a stay at home mom, I became a Pampered Chef consultant and director. I did this for 9 years when I decided to go back to college to finish my degree. Because I grew up in a home where my mom was a teacher,  I always had the desire to teach and help students to grow and to love learning.  In January of 2004, I went back to college and graduated that December with my bachelor's degree in education.   I started my teaching career in August 2006 in a third grade classroom at Brigham Elementary. 

  In my spare time I enjoy jazzercise, scrapbooking, camping, spending time with my family and friends, and in the summer I love to go to garage sales.  Of course, I love to shop at the mall too!

  I am looking forward to a great year full of growing and learning!