I am originally from the Tri-cities area of east Tennessee.   I attended Sullivan Central High School and graduated in 1977.  I earned a bachelors degree in History from Carson-Newman College, a Master's degree in History from ASU.  I married Stephen Starnes in 1984 and we have two beautiful daughters, Ashley and Emma.  After the girls were born, I realised my true calling and went back to school at Lenoir Rhyne and earned a Master's degree in Special Education-Cross categorical.  I begin teaching in Caldwell County at William Lenoir in 1995.  Since then, I have taught at Gamewell Elementary, Horizons Elementary, Hibriten High School, The Caldwell County Middle College, and at South Caldwell High School.  I am proud to be a Spartan!