Carmen graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, with a degree in Elementary Education. The field of education became her passion while serving on the university’s literacy council and volunteering in at risk classrooms, reading with children. Carmen has been an educator for the past 29 years, teaching grades preK-5 in public and private schools, homeschooling her now 3 adult children from birth through 8th grade, and facilitating various homeschool learning co-ops. Even before acquiring focused training in the Orton-Gillingham structured literacy approach, she was implementing similar methods and approaches in her teaching.

Her personal interests include spending time with family and friends, exploring outdoors and traveling, and reading historical fiction.

Carmen lives in Brookfield with her husband and their dog. Her three children either live in the area or away at college.