Hello, I'm Ms. Twaite and I'd like you to know something about me. I'm not old and I'm not young so you could say I'm like a worn book. I have a colorful and somewhat cluttered background so I'll try to keep it simple. After graduating from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in New Jersey I attended Nursing School and a two year college to become a licensed Registered Nurse. After this event I lived in New York City and eventually worked in The Adolescent Development Program associated with New York Hospital and Rockefeller University. As an R.N. I made clinic appointments, brought students to social service agencies, taught health and had a counseling case load. I even assisted in the birth of a baby girl by one of the teenagers. I loved working with the teenagers and they responded positively to me. I guess you could say this was the beginning of my ongoing career focused on the development of adolescents. At this time, I finished a BA in psychology at Mary Mount Manhattan College.

During my life in NYC I explored my creative self, painted in watercolor and had a share in a pottery studio. I worked as a chef in a restaurant which was hard work but exciting and helped me to pay off student loans and college courses.

Eventually, I married and had a child, moved to Roscoe first as a weekender and then as a full timer. I was a stay-at-home mom who volunteered at school and through my hobby, raising Gordon Setters, became active in canine therapy in nursing homes and canine education in schools. After serving as board member and president of the Monticello Kennel Club and columnist for the Gordon Setter Club of America publication, I enrolled in a Masters program in Education at Mount Saint Mary's College. It wasn't long before I found my niche in education: Special Education with (yes, you guessed right) teenagers!

As a single parent, I raised my daughter and sent her to college. She is now working at Rockefeller University (do you see the connection!). She is a bright, talented and compassionate person with a good heart. Needless to say, I am proud of her.

I've worked with teenagers in high school for about 10 years now and enjoy it immensely. Besides education, I continue my own education in the fields of psychology, leadership,communication and teenage development. There is nothing more important to me than opening the world of knowledge to others. My belief is that education is the key to life, power, happiness and success.

Besides a case load of Special Education and Section 504 students I am consultant teacher in English to the following teachers: Mrs. Clark (English 10), Ms. Aberman (English 9), Ms. Davies, Mr. Tryzcinski and Mr. Fleck (English 11). My own class is Special English 10.