1) As a child, my dream was?

To be a lawyer

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

I’ve made 24 TV Commercials and flown enough to circle the globe 60 times

3) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

Spend the day discussing film with Martin Scorsese

4) My favorite author is?

Micheal Lewis 

5) My favorite book is?

Loose Teeth by Simon Rich

 6) A song or singer/band that would best sum me up is?

Steve Goodman

7) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose? Why (briefly)?

David Sedaris, Calvin Trillin and Steven Colbert because we would never stop laughing or learning

8) I can cook Indian, Italian, Mexican, and Thai , but my favorite food to eat is?

Pizza

9) My favorite part of working at Quest is?

Getting to know the kids and parents

10) A family friendly TV show or movie (current or from my childhood) that I recommend is? 

The Office

1) As a child, my dream was? 

To be a teacher!

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is? 

I have an 85 inch TV I love to watch sports on.

3) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would? 

Be a construction worker and drive big machinery.

4) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

C.J. Box, the Joe Pickett series.

5) A song or singer/band that would best sum me up is? 

Ed Sheeran.

6) I can cook __(Anything)__, but my favorite food to eat is? 

Pizza

7) My favorite part of working at Quest is? 

The students!

8) A family friendly TV show or movie (current or from my childhood) that I recommend? 

Star Wars, Return of the Jedi

1) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

On average, I read about 50 books a year and go to at least one concert a month!

2) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

I would say two of my favorite authors are Sally Rooney and Emily Henry. My favorite book would have to be The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

3) A song or singer/band that would best sum me up is?

The song “Bug Eyes” by Mt. Joy sums me up the best. I would say it’s one my favorite songs of all time, and I even have it tattooed on me!

4) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose? Why (briefly)?

Freddie Mercury, Harry Styles, and Taylor Swift because they are all people who I deeply admire and am inspired by.

5) I can cook _________, but my favorite food to eat is?

I would say I’m a better baker than cook, and my favorite thing to bake is muffins. My favorite food to eat is any kind of pasta dish or dessert!

6) A family friendly TV show or movie (current or from my childhood) that I recommend is?

I have always been a huge fan of reality TV, so I recommend Big Brother and Survivor! 

1) As a child, my dream was?

It was, and still is, to drive the Motor Safari at Brookfield Zoo and share facts about the animals and exhibits with guests as we pass by.  I am practicing my intercom speaking skills everyday during carline dismissal so I will be ready for the motor safari!

2) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

Anything on the water – a lazy float trip down a natural river, a day on the lake in a pontoon boat with friends/family, etc…

3) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

A YA book that I enjoyed in recent years is Divergent by Veronica Roth.  The movies are not great, but the first book in the series is a very fun read!

4) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose? Why (briefly)?

Ben Folds – a talented musician, My grandmother – a beautiful soul, and Robin Williams – the epitome of a gifted mind.

5) My favorite part of working at Quest is? 

• The people.  My colleagues are incredible and the students amaze us daily with their creativity, curiosity, innovation, and kind hearts.

1) As a child, my dream was?

As a child, my dream was to be a teacher. My mother taught second and third grade, and I really liked playing pretend with her teaching materials.

2) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

If I could do anything for a day, I would walk around London. I have never been there before, but I am fascinated by the city.

3) If I could go back in time, I would travel to the year? Why (briefly)?

If I could go back in time, I would travel to the early 1900’s. I would really like to see my grandparents when they were young.

4) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose? Why?

If I could have dinner with three people, I would choose Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. I would really like to hear about what our country was like during those times.

5) My favorite part of working at Quest is?

My favorite part of working at Quest is interacting with the students. I am honored to be a member of our community.

1) As a child, my dream was?

I always wanted to be a teacher. I think I always wanted to be a teacher because I had a couple of amazing teachers that made a difference in my life, and I hoped one day I could do the same for someone else. 

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

I love to travel! 

3) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

I like to read historical fiction because I get to learn about history and immerse myself into a good story at the same time. 

4) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose? Why (briefly)?

I would love to have dinner with: Eleanor Roosevelt, Jane Adams, and Harriet Tubman because they are three of my heroes. I would love to talk to them and ask them a million questions. I’d also like to thank them for their bravery and for the positive change they brought to our world!

5) I can cook _________, but my favorite food to eat is?

I enjoy cooking, but my favorite thing to eat that I do not make is sushi! Yum!!!

1) As a child, my dream was?

As a child, I dreamed about having a beautiful garden with sunny spots to read and interesting plants and insects to look at.

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

Few people know that I was once in a pie-eating contest and I lost to a hungry teenage boy.  

3) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

Someday I hope to kayak through the Grand Canyon. My favorite things to do at home are drawing and working in my garden.  

4) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

My favorite picture book is Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau by Andrea Beatty, my favorite novel is Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne.

5) If I could go back in time, I would travel to the year? Why (briefly)?

I would travel to Madagascar 15,000 years ago, before people arrived, and lemurs ruled the island.  

6) A song or singer/band that would best sum me up is?

My heart always lights up when I hear What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.

7) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose? Why (briefly)?

I would have a picnic lunch with Sir David Attenborough, Jacques Cousteau, and David Hockney in a tropical rainforest. After we ate, we would go exploring and then do some painting.  

8) I can cook _________, but my favorite food to eat is?

I am better at baking than cooking. I can replicate my grandmother’s Italian cookies quite well. My favorite food is fresh Eastcoast seafood, especially Wellfleet oysters. I could also easily live on fruit, I love all fruit.

1) As a child, my dream was?

Go on adventures with Mr. T.

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

I enjoy studying ornithology.

3) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

Sit in my yard while people bring ice water with lemon all day.

4) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

TS Eliot, selected works.

5) If I could go back in time, I would travel to the year? Why (briefly)?

The moment of the Big Bang, to understand what infinitely small means. 

6) A song or singer/band that would best sum me up is?

The entire discography of Weird Al Yankovic.

7) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose? Why (briefly)?

Henry VIII, Gengis Khan and Hildegard Von Bingen to observe their use of table manners.

8) I can cook _________, but my favorite food to eat is?

I can cook an American full breakfast. Favorite(s): Scottish, Irish or English full breakfast. 

1) As a child, my dream was?

When I was a child, my dream was to have many pets, be a painter and travel around the world.

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

I love painting, animals and nature. My family and I adopted 6 birds from a rescue place.

3) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

I would spend some time with my family in a sunny and warm place.

4) My favorite author is? My favorite book is? 

I like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and his book “One Hundred Years of Solitude.”

5) If I could go back in time, I would travel to the year? Why (briefly)?

If I could, I would travel back 100 years to meet my grandparents when they were young and learn more about their lives.

6) A song or singer/band that would best sum me up is?

I like Alex Zurdo and Redimi2 because I enjoy the rhythm and lyrics of their songs.

7) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose? Why (briefly)?

Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr, Vincent Van Gogh. 

I would love to listen to them and enjoy their company because I would have a lot to learn from them. 

8) I can cook lasagna, but my favorite food to eat is?

Sushi. I really enjoy Asian food. 

1) As a child, my dream was?

My childhood dream was to be an astronaut.

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

I worked on a salmon cannery slime line for a summer to help pay for college.

3) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

I would love to spend a day walking along a tropical beach in between snorkeling trips and napping in the shade.

4) If I could go back in time, I would travel to the year? Why (briefly)?

If I could go back in time, I would go back to 1963 so I could listen to Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech in person.

5) I can cook _________, but my favorite food to eat is?

I can cook gluten-free vegan meals but my favorite food is chocolate, one of the few foods I eat that is not vegan.

1) As a child, my dream was?

To be a librarian or a music teacher.

2) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

My favorite books are the Harry Potter books.

3) If I could go back in time, I would travel to the year? Why (briefly)?

The 1860’s during the Civil War. When I was younger, I always wanted to be Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind.

4) A song that would best sum me up is? (include name of song and original singer)

“Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake because I love to dance and “For Good” from the musical Wicked because I hope to make an impact on all the students I teach.

5) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose?

Justin Timberlake, Michelle Obama, Lin-Manuel Miranda

6) I can cook _________, but my favorite food to eat is?

I don’t cook very much, but my favorite food to eat is pizza!

1) As a child, my dream was?

To write a book.

Play cricket for England and beat Australia.

To travel the world and learn about other cultures.

To read the top 100 books of all time. Read the complete works of Shakespeare.

Run a marathon.

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

I did target archery for ten years.

3) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

Spend the day in the Swiss Alps with family and friends.

4) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

William Shakespeare; Hamlet

5) If I could go back in time, I would travel to the year? Why (briefly)?

Tudor England, 1500-1600 (any year)

Philadelphia, June and July, 1776

India August 14/15, 1947.

Normandy Landings, June 6, 1944

All to witness famous periods and events in history.

6) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose?

Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa

7) I can cook _________, but my favorite food to eat is?

English stew, chili con carne

My favorite food is anything Italian or Indian.

1) As a child, my dream was?

As a child, my dream was to be a horse. True story. I trotted, cantered, and whinnied until the age of 9. At the age of 12, I started riding horses at a stable near me and fell in love with an old, crotchety chestnut horse named Malibu. I entered one show and Malibu and I earned a second place ribbon. As I got older, my life got busier and other interests took over like language learning and volleyball and I drifted away from my horse dreams. To this day, my breath is always taken away by seeing a beautiful horse on screen or in person. They are still my favorite animal but I haven’t ridden one for years. Maybe 2022 will be the year I get back on and ride!

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

Although one would not guess it upon seeing me, I am a relatively decent athlete. I have played volleyball most of my life and as a teen I could be found on my driveway shooting baskets every day for an hour or more. Being active is one of the most important aspects of my life in that it supports my mental and physical health and serves as a social outlet as well. I play volleyball on two teams right now in two different park districts and have been on many league-winning teams over the years. I’m short but I’m fast! Also, playing a sport for many years gives you an understanding of the game that makes you a smarter player. I am a much better player now than I was when I was 16.

3) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

My favorite author changes from month to month. I am an immersive reader and I tend to binge several of an author’s works one after the other. That said, I have always loved the imagery and the wisdom of Zora Neale Hurston. She wrote a gorgeous novel called Their Eyes Were Watching God and tells a magnificent if heartbreaking story about love, race, and gender roles. Another, very different author that I have always loved is Kurt Vonnegut. His philosophy on the human condition has always spoken to me and each of his books feels like a primer on how to not take yourself too seriously and enjoy each moment.

4) A song that would best sum me up is? (include name of song and original singer)

A song that sums up my feelings about the beauties and the tragedies of our human experience is Imagine by John Lennon. After reading Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, I was forced to look at human behavior in a very different way. The inevitable grouping of individuals through the creation of common stories is both the miracle and the downfall of humanity. This paradox is summed up pretty well in Lennon’s song where he dreams of a world where everyone is simply a person worthy of respect no matter where they live, what they believe, or who they love. It’s a lofty goal to live this way and I try, fail, and succeed on a daily basis!

 5) If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose?

If I could have dinner with three people, I think I would choose to invite my dad, Galileo Galilei, and Bob Dylan. I have always wanted to be able to show Galileo the pictures we have of Jupiter and its moons as he was the first to see them as little pinpoints in the night sky. I would definitely need my dad to be there as Galileo is his hero and he would be extremely moved to see Galileo drinking in those images for the first time. I could listen to my dad and Galileo converse for hours even though I would probably only understand about 30% of it and my dad would have to learn Italian. It would be very satisfying to explain to Galileo that his scientific findings, which he was persecuted and arrested for, are now accepted as truth. Finally, Bob Dylan would be there because the song he would write about Galileo seeing those images and realizing that the world had woken up to his truths would be unforgettable.

1) As a child, my dream was?

I was always fascinated by the space program and dreamed of being an astronaut.   While I never fulfilled that dream, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed following the advances in the space program in the last few decades.  In particular, I’m a huge fan of the way Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield  found creative ways to share his adventures with the world.

2) Something that few people at Quest know about me is?

I’m a huge Star Wars fan.   I collect vintage Star Wars toys, focusing in particular on the classic Luke Skywalker action figure.   I have in my collection figures and bootlegs from Japan, Brazil, Spain, France, England, Canada, Australia, Poland, Hungary.  My kids each have their own vintage Star Wars figure collections too!

 3) If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

Meander through a city I’ve never been in before.   When I arrive somewhere new, I love walking out of the hotel and just seeing where my feet  take me.   I enjoy seeing new places through the eyes of the people who live there, rather than just the spots staged for tourists to visit.

4) My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

There are so many authors that I love, but one of my favorites right now is Brandon Sanderson.   He’s a prolific writer and a master at creating interesting fantasy worlds that still feel real.   But if I had to pick one book, I’d probably go back to a favorite from my youth, The Westing Game.   It’s such a rich, creative mystery.   Despite having read it more than a dozen times, I still pick up clues that I’ve missed!

5) A song that would best sum me up is? (include name of song and original singer)

Imagine, by John Lennon.   I’ve always loved the simplicity of Lennon’s songs, and how aspirational the lyrics are.   In this song, his only call to action is for people to just step back and take the time to imagine the world that could be.   I think we could all benefit from taking a breath now and then and thinking about what COULD be.

1)       As a child, my dream was?

I always wanted to have a monkey as a pet!  I wanted to walk around town and have the monkey riding on my shoulder.

2)      If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would?

I would travel the world and visit the Lourve Museum in France, the Great Pyramid in Egypt, and the Sydney Opera House.

3)     My favorite author is? My favorite book is?

Victor Hugo is my favorite author and my favorite book is Les Miserables.

4)     A song that would best sum me up is? (include name of song and original singer)

A song that sums me up is “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles

5)     If I could have dinner with any 3 people (living or not), I would choose? Why (briefly)?

I would choose to have dinner with Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach.  I have so many questions I would love to ask them about the musical inspirations for their compositions.  I would so enjoy playing the piano with all three of them!