About Me

For those of you confused by the fact that there are two teachers by the last name of "Mikes" on your schedule, my husband is a PE teacher and coach at Lake Park. Both former lancers, we bleed blue and white.

I did my undergraduate studies at St. Mary's College, Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Graduating with a bachelor's degree in 2001, I double-majored in English Literature and English Writing with a minor in Secondary Education. Immediately following my student teaching, I was offered the opportunity to teach for a semester medical leave at Elkhart Memorial High School in Elkhart, Indiana. I accepted this opportunity and began my first full-time teaching assignment.

My second teaching placement was at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Chicago, IL. I spent a year as a middle school Language Arts teacher teaching 5th, 6th, and 7th-grade students. Unfortunately, this school was forced to close the following year due to lack of funding. Fortunately, another teaching oportunity was on the horizon.

In 2004, I was hired as an English teacher at my alma mater. A graduate of the Lake Park class of 1997, I was thrilled with the opportunity to return to the land of the lancers. Since beginning my career at LPHS, I have taught mainly junior and senior English. I have also coached three years of softball and most recently become an Assistant Athletic Director. In terms of professional development, I have obtained my master’s degree in Education from Concordia University in Curriculum and Instruction. I am also a part of Lake Park’s Student Mentor Program, Junior Team Leader for the English Department at West Campus, and currently pursuing my second master’s degree.