About Miss Giggles

Who I am.

After earning a BS in elementary education with a computer science teaching minor from Brigham Young University, I was an elementary computer teacher for six years in Utah. I loved that job.

It was my fifth grade students my first year that nicknamed me Miss Giggles. Considering that students can come up with much worse nicknames for teachers, I ran with that one. By the time I left, most students only knew me as Miss Giggles.

So when I started a website, it only seemed natural to name it Miss Giggles.

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While teaching elementary school, I earned an M.Ed. from the University of Utah from the department of teaching and learning with an emphasis in math, science and technology.

They call that thing a hood.

But it looks kind of funny when you try to wear it as one.

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In 2008 I moved to Arizona, and started a Ph.D. in educational psychology, focusing on cognitive learning theories. My research will look at the motivational effects of tutoring on struggling students.

Graduation should happen some time in 2012.

While I’m studying I’m also teaching undergraduates and helping future teachers. It’s fun to be teaching still. Although I do miss my old elementary students at times, they did provide me with a lot of good stories to tell my students now.

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I am a quilter.

It’s my therapy. It costs about as much, but I get blankets out of it when I’m finished. I actually worked at a fabric store for over a year to feed my habit.

Quilts are just pretty math.

I do sew other things, but quilts are my favorite.

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I have been known to do theater and belly dance.

I did several shows in community theaters.

And I have had a lot of fun taking belly dance classes. I love belly dancing. It’s so fun to figure out what my body can do. And it’s a great fun way to exercise the abdomen.

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I am a runner.

It’s my other therapy.

So far I’ve completed three marathons (Deseret News in 1997 and 2008 and Tucson in 2009). And while there are those who think I’m crazy (and I generally have those same thoughts between miles 20 and 25), I will be doing more. Some day I will run Boston.

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I am a reader. Libraries are some of my favorite places, especially the BYU library. I’m always in the middle of at least one book, generally more.

I’ve even had to start a blog to keep track of all of the books I read as I review them. Check it out if you need some good recommendations – Miss Giggles’ Book Log.

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I try to grow things. Living in apartments it’s been mostly container (pot) gardens. I’ve had relative success with tomatoes and flowers.

Now that I have access to a yard, I’m really excited to see what I can do with a bigger space. My first project – turning the grass into a lawn and getting all the bushes and trees in the right shape and producing what they’re supposed to (fruit or flowers).

Next up is vegetables and herbs.

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I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Find out what I believe.

I served a full time mission in Brasil from October 1999 to March 2001.

My membership affects everything I do.

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I am a daughter
a sister
an aunt
a grand-daughter
and a friend.

My family is very important to me.

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And in November 2009 I married Brett.

I’ve never been happier.

We have our crazy adventures over on Ooh Shemo: That’s what it’s called.