Sister Joanna Marie grew up in Sydney, Australia with her parents and her sister, Sarah. She found great joy in following the Lord's first call to be a teacher which she did for 10 years before entering. Her love for teaching and travel took her overseas on a four-year adventure in which she was blessed to discover much of the beauty of God's creation. After a deep encounter with the Lord at World Youth Day in Sydney, 2008 she became a volunteer for Youth Mission Team, Australia. In 2011 she entered the Nashville Dominicans. Sister Joanna Marie holds a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Elementary Education and is halfway through her Masters in Theology. She now feels doubly blessed in being able to carry out both the vocation to teach and to live as a spouse of Christ. She is delighted to be in Alabama, serving the families at St. Rose Academy.