In my 33+ years in public school education, I have had the opportunity to work with students at all grade levels from 2nd grade through high school.   It is this vast diversity of experiences with a variety of age groups that has allowed me to watch and nurture the growth and development of children.  By seeing where they come from and where they go to, it has helped me grow as an educator and assisted me in finding the best and most effective ways to educate children.    

Prior to coming to SCAPA in 1998, I taught music for 9 years.  I began my teaching career in a school similar to SCAPA, Meredith-Dunbar Magnet School in Temple, Texas, where I taught 3rd – 5th grade General Music and Choral Music and served as Accompanist, Director, Choreographer or Stage Manager for various theatrical productions.  After moving to Ft. Worth, Texas, I taught middle school General Music and Choral Music at Wedgwood Middle School and Wedgwood 6th Grade School.  Upon moving to Lexington, Kentucky in 1996, I was hired as the Assistant Band Director at Bryan Station High School.  Part of the duties of a band director in Fayette County Schools is to teach music at elementary and/or middle schools as well as at the high school.  I taught Band at Glendover Elementary and Winburn Middle School for one year and taught Band, Orchestra and Class Piano at Cardinal Valley Elementary.  In 1998, I was honored to be offered my current position at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) where my primary duties are Assistant Principal, facilitating the application and audition process, and coordinating the gifted arts program (grades 4-8).  In 2014, I added teaching the Piano Minors class to the many "hats" I wear at SCAPA.   

I currently hold a Professional Certificate in Instructional Leadership - Principal, Grades K – 12, Level 2.  I completed the Kentucky Principal Internship Program in May 2001.  In addition to teaching certificates in Instrumental and Vocal Music, I was awarded a Bachelor of Music Education degree from James Madison University, a Master of Music degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Rank 1 in Administration and School Leadership from the University of Kentucky.  In 2010, I received a teaching endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education from Georgetown College.  I am a life member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity.

I am married to Jimmy Pleasant and have one step-son, Ryan Pleasant.  I am also well on my way to being a "crazy cat lady" with my four fur-boys: Sebastian, Russell, Jeffrey, and Sammy.