She obtained her doctorate in School Psychology with a specialization in Reading at Ohio State university in 1997. During her doctoral studies, she servied as a supervisor in the Reading Clinic at OSU under the directorship of Drs. Sandra McCormick and Jerry Zutell. Before obtaining her doctorate, she practiced as a school psychologist for five years in Hardin County Schools, Kenton, Ohio. She earned her master's degree in school psychology and special education at Ohio State University in 1988 and her bachelor's degree in elementary and special education at the University of Dayton in 1985.