Growing up in a large family where all shared in outdoor exploring, Sally and her siblings were introduced to nature and its wonders by their father. Working with animals became a large part of her teaching. Using her background she taught “across the curriculum” long before it was brought to the forefront of education. She taught elementary students for 32 years, 16 of which was in a self-contained classroom of “Interested and Talented” students, and moved into administration, serving as a principal for 5 years before retiring to work in the Teacher Education Department of Michigan State University.