In 1979 graduate of the University. Wyo with a degree in elementary education and worked for Central Wyoming Disabilities , Wyoming Disabilities Services & Wyoming Adult Disabilities Skills Placement for a total of 5 years as an educator and outreach work coordinator for special needs adults. Moving to Florida I worked in the same field at Lantana Lakes Cluster and The Autistic Children's Association. My heart was in my work but the healing was not .The government programs gave me more time away from my students than it allowed with them . Taking courses in college in the healing arts as they came available and being a student of yoga for already many years the green of the earth started to call me. I took my first herbalist course from Clayton College by mail in the early 1980's and just fell in love . Used everything I knew on so many people they quit inviting me to eat with them . My children were raised on teas and tincture which caused my mother great concern and yes they are both still living today . My daughter still uses some of the remedies I taught her as a child . After much reading of Gladstar I enrolled in her online courses and found her style of teaching a breath of fresh air but still wanted a more clinical study because I wanted to teach others how to heal themselves and offer more knowledge of the body and its amazing knowledge to heal itself so I enrolled in The School of Botanical Medicine in Orlando FL in 1989, This comprehensive herbal studies program was almost 3 years long at that time, I went on to take two graduate level clinical courses there as well. I have also studied intensively with other respected herbalists and continue my studies actively. I have taught classes in herbal medicine, organic skin care and related subjects throughout the southeast, including the Women's Herbal Conference and Florida Agriculture Events, and also at natural food stores, herb shops, health clubs , yoga studios and other events. I'm a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, which is a peer-reviewed distinction within the AHG membership, and I've been practicing and teaching herbal medicine for well over a decade. I am a gentle herbalist practicing in the Western tradition of herbal medicine. That is, my roots go back to the Eclectic and other botanic physicians of the 19th and early 20th centuries in this country, and deeper back to the traditions of Europe. This foundation theory shares the concepts of elements (earth, air, fire, water) and quality (hot, cold, moist, dry) with all the ancient herbal medicine systems of the world, including China and India. We are, after all, one species living on the same planet. The herbs I use are primarily local, but also worldwide in origin. Because I understand the plants' "personalities", I can fit them into the theoretical framework that I use. For example, ginger is warming, no matter what tradition you come from. Currently I am the owner of Green Lotus Organics & Lotus Bud Tea Co. Plus an active instructor here in Northeast Florida . Thanks for joining me in one of my classes and please feel free to contact me with any questions .