The Color Crush Studio

20 years of experience in the classroom teaching cognitively impaired students. As a special education teacher I have taught students with learning disabilities, emotional impairments, students on the Austism Spectrum, students who are hearing impaired and students with physical disabilities.

I firmly believe that school should be engaging, challenge students to reach their highest potential and yes, it should also be fun! Alas, this can't happen until a mutual relationship of trust and respect has been made between student and teacher. It is pivotal that this is the primary focus not only when a student is new to the classroom, but throughout their entire career as one of my students. When students know in their hearts that you really authentically 100% are there for them, believe in them, and will love them unconditionally....well then AMAZING things can happen.

Teacher of the Year • Lead Teacher Governor's Summit on Education in Michigan • Presenter at National Learning Forward Conference • Michigan Educator Voice Fellowship Alumni.

I grew up in the Netherlands, also known as Holland, and low and behold I now live in Holland, Michigan. Even as a child in the Netherlands, I always wanted to be a teacher. I earned my degree in the field of Psychology and Special Education from Grand Valley State University.

When I was a little girl, teaching was my thing. I spent hours and hours making lessons and getting my friends to be my students. Fast forward to today, and I still believe that I was born to be a teacher. I absolutely love my job and have over 15 years experience teaching special education. It is such a blessing to be able to work with students, and lucky me, I get be my student’s teacher for two years . This is an amazing opportunity to foster relationships built on trust and respect. And WOW, then some amazing learning can really happen. I’ve gotten my love for design from my father who was a design engineer in The Netherlands, my birth country. I thoroughly enjoy graphic design, and find it to be an extra blessing that my two passions have found a place to come together in designing remedial materials.