Ms. Sands runs FCCLA and is the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher. She has been teaching for eleven years and took three years off to operate her other licensed home daycare and earn her master’s degree.
Ms Sands first went to college to be a journalist in the agricultural industry but then changed paths after her son was born and became a licensed home childcare provider. As her son got older, she went back to college for her teaching license. She also admits as to why she wanted to become a teacher: “I have always cared a lot about kids and families and wanted a career that allowed me the chance to be the best mom I could be too.”
After she graduated college, she substitute taught at schools for a year when her son was a baby. She also has earned her masters at ISU in Human Development and Family Studies. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Sands makes her family and home a priority. The Sands Family love the outdoors and nature and enjoy taking long nature walks when the weather’s nice enough. She also spends a lot of time doing school work towards her doctorate of education.
Ms. Sands spends a lot of time in and out of school thinking of her students and trying to make class fun as well as helping for their future, whether it’s about family, children, food, relationships, and money. She deserves more recognition than she gets as she has been awarded the Those Who Excel Teacher of the Year Award by the Illinois State Board of Education in 2024 for the work that she has done to build Dee Macks Little Learning Chiefs Academy.
Some fun facts about her are that she was born on the 4th of july and her favorite compliment is when a student told her she was the Gordan Ramsey of Dee Mack.
Ms. Sands puts in so much effort into thinking and being fair to all her students. She always tries to keep things honest, balanced, and fair. It has been so much fun learning about Ms. Sands and be on the lookout for who the next teacher feature will be on!