Family: My partner, Jari Taskila; and my parents, and seven siblings.

Pets: I have a cat named Squirrel, but I call her Sadie Squirrel.

Where do you work and what do you do? I work at Newtown High School, where I am a computer science teacher.

What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was in first grade my mother tells me I went into my classroom and read something about “When I grow up I want to be a police officer,” and she was a little brokenhearted after having three boys. Then in fourth grade I wanted to be an Air Force pilot, but I was a female and wore glasses, so that wasn’t really a thing in the 80s. Then I wanted to be a teacher.

What clubs, organizations and/or communities of faith are you a member of? I am a member at Valley Community Baptist Church in Avon. I have professional affiliations with The Governor’s Council of Women & Girls, Lieutenant Governor Computer Challenge Steering Committee, Governor’s Council on Women and Girls Education & STEAM Subcommittee, Connecticut Department of Education Computer Science Advisory Group, and Connecticut Computer Science Teacher Association.

If you could spend the day with one person, living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I would like to spend a day with my brother David, who passed away when I was 13 and he was 17. We just didn’t get enough time, so one more day might be nice.

Do you have any unusual or surprising talents? Planning in advance. That is definitely a superpower. I’m already asking people what they want to do in 2027 because 2026 is already booked.

What do you like to do with your free time? I love to travel, and I love to hike, backpack, garden, kayaking and bicycling — really, anything outdoors.

Favorite color? Orange.

Do you enjoy reading? I like audiobooks. With my commute, they’re perfect and I go through about 100 per year. I will read almost anything except super scary stuff, because when you hike and camp alone you don’t want scary.

What is the most recent book you’ve listened to? Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak. I also seem to be reading a lot of David Baldacci.

What is something you cannot live without? God.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Finishing the 4,000 footers in the White Mountains in New Hampshire, after I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I finished them the summer after.

Favorite food? Thai and Indian, but my go-to is Rice Chex cereal with blueberries.

What is your favorite thing about Newtown? The people. I’ve yet to meet a grumpy person in Newtown. I might have received an email at one point, being in teaching here for 27 years (laughs), but not in person. You go into any place of business and everybody’s super kind — and shoutout here to Eunice at Bagel Delight, who is always super kind.

Do you have a personal credo? I’m going to steal from my grandmother, who always used to say to me: “You only come this way once. Make the most of it.”