An educator, pilot and youth motivator, she has spent more than two decades as a public elementary grade teacher in Fort Payne, Alabama. In that capacity, she developed "Fantastic Flight", a unique aviation awareness program designed especially to stimulate and inspire elementary students. This unique dimension to student awareness has made Alabama a pioneer in early childhood aerospace education. She has become internationally recognized for her extraordinary aerospace education efforts. Her "Aerospace Curriculum Guide", published in 1988, has earned many commendations and awards including "National Aerospace Educator of the Year," the "Crista McCauliff Fellowship" and the "FAA National Award For Excellence in Education."