Ms. Hughes is originally from upstate New York. She graduated from Elmira Free Academy in Elmira, NY. She then earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology from Colgate University, in Hamilton, NY, in 1997. Ms. Hughes completed the Master of Arts in Teaching degree at Dominican University, in River Forest, IL and received the Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year Award for 2004. In addition, Ms. Hughes participates in the Adventure of the American Mind program through Loyola University. This project incorporates use of the Library of Congress Online souces with advanced computer technology, and leads to national acceptance to the AAM program including resouces and workshops.
After graduating from Colgate University, Ms. Hughes earned a summer research grant to assist the Department of Psychology in an investigation of perception and cognition. The following school year, Ms. Hughes worked in the Psychology department as a Teaching and Research Assistant for the first and second year Research and Methods classes. She then worked as an employee for two major, international hospitality and recreation franchises in a number of locations including Corning, NY, Florida, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Mexico . Ms. Hughes worked for the New York State Sheriffs' Association Summer Camp, on Keuka Lake, NY, as a counselor for many summers during high school and college. She then returned as Waterfront Director and as Assistant Director, and she continues to return to the lake to work when she can.
When Ms. Hughes is not in her classroom, she enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, biking, exploring, and sailing. Ms. Hughes' favorite TV shows are the Amazing Race, Chasing Nature, and Survivor. Ms. Hughes learned how to ride the unicycle when she was in 2nd grade and sometimes rides in the hallways at school to celebrate holidays.
Ms. Hughes has travelled to many parts of Wisconsin and the United States. During the summer of 2006, she spent three weeks touring Yellowstone National Park and the Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park with her two dogs, followed by a two-week tour of New York's Southern Finger Lakes Region. In 2007, she added more states to her list during a tour of the southeastern US including, Louisiana, the Florida pan-handle and the Southernmost Point, Tybee Island, and Gettysburg.
