Kansas State Board of Education 4

Nancy was raised in Kansas and attended local public schools K-12 before graduating from the University of Kansas with a BS in Geology. After graduation, she worked in the gold mining industry, the gemstone industry as a small business owner, and then in an environmental lab, before marrying Will and raising their three children in Overland Park, KS and later in rural De Soto, KS.

Nancy homeschooled each of her three children according to their individual learning strengths, and used well-rounded learning experiences including sports, music, art, and foreign languages. Participation in co-ops and other homeschool groups expanded Nancy’s experience in both large and small classroom settings. She taught various classes over the years, including Biology, Art, Government, and Economics.

The early years of homeschooling her own children led her to start an elementary co-op focused mainly on science and History with structured classes in individual grades K-6. Her passion for education also led her to become a board member of Midwest Parent Educators. As her children entered high school, they were able to enroll in dual-credit classes at Johnson County Community College, before going to attend 4-year liberal arts colleges.

Over the years Nancy has learned from and been supported by close family members and friends who have excelled as administrators, teachers, and supporting staff in both public and private schools. She is currently profoundly interested in the education experience of the current generation and knows that both her unique experiences in education and her web of family and friends as a resource will be immediately useful on the Kansas Board of Education.