About Me

I became a teacher because young people inspire me. I love teens’ energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and candor. I feel honored to be a part of students’ journeys as they are developing their identities and finding their paths in the world. I love meeting a new group of young people each year and working together to develop a cohesive learning community.

Before becoming a teacher I had incredible opportunities and experiences including working in a public interest law firm, planting trees and led ecological restoration projects, working as a cartographer, teaching English and math at a school for girls in rural India, and building theater sets. My primary career before teaching was working for 8 years in the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action program, bringing rural and urban teens together to investigate issues affecting their communities. I brought groups of teens to Juneau every spring break to learn the behind the scenes workings of the state legislature and to meet with their senator and representative in person. Watching a group of young people run expertly facilitated powerful meetings with state leaders is the most inspiring experiences I’ve ever been a part of.

I bring my previous experience of helping teens connect to real-world issues and advocate for what they believe into my classroom. I encourage diverse viewpoints and help students explore multiple perspectives on controversial issues to prepare them to be engaged citizens in our society.

I have a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon with certification in secondary Social Studies and teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I have am also a Fellow with the Alaska Writing Project, have been trained as an AVID tutor, trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training by Living Works, and completed the Anchorage Youth Development Academy.

I have taught 9th grade Global Geography and Alaska Studies, 10th grade World History, and 11th grade AP US History, both at East High School in Anchorage School District and in Beaverton School District in Oregon.

I love to travel

I have been fortunate in my life to have many opportunities to explore our beautiful state of Alaska and to explore other places around the world. Below are a few of the amazing places I have been.