Teaching began at a young age for me, as I played school with my younger sister and taught my best friend all about photosynthesis when she struggled to understand the concept in 3rd grade. My love for teaching continued to grow from that starting point!

For the first five years of my professional teaching career I was employed with Grand Rapids Public Schools (Grand Rapids, MI). It was a great learning opportunity that increased my knowledge of academic strategies and behavior interventions. I learned to be increasingly strategic with delivery of my instruction and grew immensely in supporting English Language Learners who have Individualized Education Plans. Much of my time was spent collaborating with co-workers on behavior plans, academic progress monitoring, and Positive Behavior Support policies.

Following my time in Michigan, I spent one year teaching 2nd grade students with specific learning needs at Hickam Airforce Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Once again, this experience opened my eyes to new cultures, new concepts of teaching, new curriculum, new strategies and new ways to teach my learners with special needs. With the added experience of teaching military dependents I helped them learn resilience, compassion with others who differed and how to transition to new, unfamiliar  surroundings. During my time at Hickam Elementary I was given the opportunity to mentor three University of Hawaii teacher candidates and participate in their WASC accreditation process.

More recently, I have spent time teaching reading, writing and math to students at Sylvan Learning Center in Old Town Alexandria. 

Apart from teaching, I am a lover of travel, a coffee-drinking connoisseur and an avid reader. I enjoy all things health & wellness and am an advocate for healthy living!

"LET US THINK OF EDUCATION AS THE MEANS OF DEVELOPING OUR GREATEST ABILITIES, BECAUSE IN EACH OF US THERE IS A PRIVATE HOPE AND DREAM WHICH, FULFILLED, CAN BE TRANSLATED INTO BENEFIT FOR EVERYONE AND GREATER STRENGTH FOR OUR NATION."


-JOHN F. KENNEDY-