Meet Ms.Norris

I attended Kansas State University and earned a dual degree in marketing and advertising.  After graduating, I worked for awhile in corporate marketing for Mercantile Stores West, first as a media buyer and production assistant and then in fashion and special events.   I also worked as an account executive in a local advertising agency before having the opportunity to teach overseas.

Just a few years out of college, I decided to take a detour in my career to teach English at a Hungarian high school that specialized in economics.  I taught business English and conversational English at Geza Kiraly Kozgazdasagi in Vac, Hungary for two years. 

  _{Geza Kiraly Kozgazdasagi Szakoszepiskola-The School that I taught at in Vac, Hungary}

I absolutely loved teaching and experiencing life overseas!  I was very fortunate to be able to travel to 12 different countries during my time overseas.   I was able to see and experience things that I never thought I would.  My experience overseas really tested me and broadened my world view.    

Needless to say, that opportunity overseas changed my life. What I thought would be a little 2-year detour turned into a completely new road for me. When I returned from Hungary, I decided not to return to the business world, but to work toward my true calling.  I earned another degree in English Education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. I loved teaching communication arts, but my passion was teaching English as a second language.  So, I continued on to the University of Kansas and received my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction in TESOL. 

My experiences overseas have made me a better ESL teacher in many ways.  For one thing, I am more empathetic to the challenges that an ESL student can face.  I have taught at all levels K-12 and currently teach at Cottonwood Point Elementary School.