My name is Julie Denise Cassidy. I have lived in Knoxville, Tennessee, my entire life. I went to Ritta Elementary School (K-8th) and Gibbs High School, which I graduated from in 1985. I worked at the University of Tennessee for 10 years as a Word Processing Specialist, where I began my degree in Human Ecology Education as a part time student. When I became pregnant with my daughter, I took a break from my job and my education (a ten year break) to stay home and rais my two children, Desilee (12) and Spencer (7). I ran a transcription business from home during that time to help pay the bills. When my children's father was killed in an accident in 2007, I decided it was time to finish my education degree. I am currenty a student at Tusculum College in Knoxville. I will graduate from the BAED program in May, 2010. I look forward to finally realizing my dream to teach and influence the lives of young children, who are our future!