Occupation: I absolutely loved my 25 years of teaching in Newtown. I had so many great experiences. I retired three years ago, and this is my fourth year traveling around the country working for Teacher’s College at Columbia University for its Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP). I work for Lucy Calkins — she’s the guru of writing workshops. Her work has always inspired my teaching, back to my days in Sandy Hook. I always believed in the workshop model, and now I get to go out and teach it. The model requires kids to use their imagination, to write tons, to read tons, and to dream of their future.

Family: I have three kids. Matthew is my oldest, and he works for Vanity Fair as the editor of the website; Caitlin is a social worker at the University of Chicago; and Timothy is in sales and marketing. Three different careers that match each of them pretty perfectly. My husband Tom and I have been married for 41 years, and we’ve known each other for 46 years.

Pets: We have a 6-year-old dog, Reilly. He’s named after my mentor, Patricia Reilly Giff, the author. He does have the life of Reilly. He’s a great dog.

How long have you lived in Newtown? For 31 years. Raising my kids in Newtown, they absolutely thrived here. We had moved here from lower Fairfield County, and it was like a little slice of New Jersey, where I’m from. Right away, I felt Newtown was home.

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to write, walk with my dog, and go out to dinner with my husband. I also love getting to be with my friends — my “Ya-yas” — and my teaching friends.

Do you have a favorite author? Patricia Reilly Giff. I also love Kate DiCamillo, who wrote Because of Winn-Dixie; and Amor Towles, who wrote A Gentleman in Moscow.

What is your favorite travel destination? I would love to go back to Europe. I have family in Ireland. I also have family in Australia, and they’ve all come and stayed with me, so now it’s my turn to visit them.

What is the best part about Newtown? It’s absolute beauty. I took a ride up to Castle Hill during the full moon, and it took my breath away. It doesn’t just have to be those iconic places — beauty is everywhere here. I love the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. It’s an absolute favorite spot of mine.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My dad, Jack Murphy. He wasn’t in my life for long. He died when I was 11. My dad was always whispering to me “You’re my peaches and cream, you are my sunshine.” I was his sidekick. He influenced me because he made me believe in myself. He was also a silver star veteran in World War II.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? Michelle Obama. I think she is a brilliant woman and an incredible role model for all women and men.

Do you have a favorite musical artist? I am eclectic. We love The Grateful Dead in our house and Bonnie Raitt. Also, I have to say Bruce Springsteen, because I’m a Jersey girl. I love Dave Matthews and Andrea Bocelli. I’m a child of the 70s, too, so I listened to tons of rock and roll.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? It came when I was teaching second grade, from Lucia Fritz, who was a teacher at Sandy Hook. She said, “If you’ve got your sense of humor, you’ve got everything.”

What is something you cannot live without? Potato chips and chocolate — especially Dove milk chocolate.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Raising my three kids. Second to that is being a witness to all the streams of kids that have come through my life in 25 years of teaching in Newtown. I still get messages on Facebook from former students. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.