My Adventures
Awards & Teaching Recognition:
Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year, Top Ten Finalist, 2018-2019
Lakeview Middle School Teacher of the Year, 2018-2019
Educators Who Make a Difference Award Winner – Upstate Parent Magazine, January, 2018
Winner of the Outstanding Graduate Student Award for the Department of Education and Human Development – Clemson University, 2015
Perfect score (200) received on the Praxis II Exam (Middle Level Social Studies) – Nov, 2014
Colleges & Universities Attended:
Furman University – Ed. S. Degree in School Leadership, 2018-2021
Furman University - Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), 2018-present
Clemson University - Masters of Arts in Teaching (Concentration: Middle Level Social Studies) – Degree earned, 2015
Furman University – Rushing Center for Information Technology – Certificate in Advanced Information Technology – Degree earned, 1999
Furman University – Bachelors of Arts (Double Major in Music & Religion) – Degree earned, 1999
Research Presentations & Professional Associations:
Member of the SC Association for Middle Level Education, 2014-present
Member of the Association for Middle Level Education, 2014-2015
Member of the South Carolina Council for the Social Studies, 2014-present
Member of the National Council for the Social Studies, 2014-present
Presented “Instructional Techniques for English Language Learners” – SC Council for Social Studies, Sept, 2017
Presented my research (“Are You a Scientist: The Scientific Method & Citizenship”) at the annual conference for SCAMLE – March, 2015
Presented my research (“Toward a Statewide C3 Model United Nations Curricular Track for Middle Grades”) at the annual conference for the National Council for Social Studies – November, 2014
I am excited to begin my fourth year at Sevier! This will be my 7th year teaching in Greenville County Schools.
Why did I enter the classroom? As Nelson Mandela says, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” My focus is on preparing students with the life-long skills that will enable them to become active, engaged, and successful 21st Century citizens who will make positive changes in our world.
Raised in Charleston, SC, I attended Furman University for my undergraduate degree. I worked as a systems analyst and software developer for over a decade before I felt a call to education. I obtained a masters at Clemson University and Ed.S. degree in School and Educational Leadership at Furman University specifically because I am interested in the best methods to build positive relationships to give students the tools they need on their path towards college and career readiness. My learning community is focused on empowering my students to find their individual voice and use their plethora of skills and abilities to take informed action that brings positive change in their lives and in the world. My classroom is a place where we learn from one another as we become life-long learners together.
My family and I have lived in Greenville for 20 years, and we love being close to the mountains. I love the arts – poetry slams, Broadway shows, visual arts, theatre, dance and music. I love being outside - hiking, kayaking, gardening, reading on the porch, or just taking a nap in the hammock! I also enjoy traveling, and I've visited and lived in some interesting places around the globe including Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Chile, Argentina, Mexico....and many others.
I hope you will visit our classroom and see what we are doing this year. I invite you to share your own ideas and appreciation for education and informed action with our students!