I am excited to join CHS this year as an ESL/ELA grade 9 teacher. I have spent most of my adult life as an educator in high schools and colleges. I am entering my 10th year in BPS and 20th year as a high school English teacher. 

Originally from the Chicago area, I moved to Boston when I was 18 to attend Emerson College, where I majored in performing arts (acting!) and minored in Latin American fiction. After a few years raising money for the arts, I went back to college to attend Boston University and earn my Masters of Arts in Teaching English.

In addition to teaching high school English, I've served Boston students as director of Northeastern's Opportunity Scholarship Programs for hundreds of first-generation college students who attended college largely for free. I supported students from freshman through senior year in college and presented at conferences around the country on what it takes for students to successfully move from high school to college graduation. I never imagined that I would need the skills I learned in my high school English class in every single job, every single day. One through-line joining all of my experiences has been my advocacy for access to education. 

I chose to return to the classroom in Boston Public Schools after working with BPS's College Readiness programs and visiting high schools across the city to help students write for college applications and scholarships. My professional path has helped me to understand more deeply the critical thinking skills required of my students for college and career, as well as the life-changing opportunities that are available for students beyond high school. 

I love watching students find their way in high school, embrace opportunities, and find success in careers. My former students do amazing things every day as electricians, chefs, musicians, business owners, stock brokers, behavioral neuroscientists, psychologists, college professors, clothing designers, nurses, teachers, principals, carpenters, pipe fitters, elected officials, authors, engineers, mechanics, DJs, lawyers, makeup artists, hair stylists, architects, MBTA employees, pharmacists, military, and even a casino dealer (to name a few!). I am grateful each day to have a job that allows me to be a small part of my students' life journeys

My first teaching position in BPS was in night school in the "Twilight" credit recovery program where I met amazing students who truly ended up teaching me along the way. Teaching in Boston has helped me to see the importance of working with each student where they are at that moment with the belief that each student is more than capable of exceeding their graduation and post-graduation goals. 

As a teacher in BPS, I've had the opportunity to write about and present teaching strategies and what I'm learning alongside you---my students. Some of my writing and presentations ahve explored brain-based learning, growth mindset and learning outcomes, academic strengths of neurodivergent learners, how to build stamina with writing and reading, and how questioning strategies help us to engage with harder skills and concepts. You can read more about my approach to teaching here.

More than anything in my life, teaching has transformed the way I think and move through this world. Every day I feel lucky to have found a career that lets me learn from young people who push me to be my best. I am passionate about teaching, and teaching writing in particular. I leave school each day with so many new ideas that my students teach me; I am excited to share what I know with you as I learn with you.

Some more info about me...

National Board Certified Teacher  2022

Campus without Walls Lead Teacher, 2021-22

Boston Debate League, Debate Inspired Teaching Fellow, 2020-22

BPS Telescope Network Connect & Share Presenter on Digital Discourse/Hybrid Learning, 2021

Honorable Mention, BPS/BTU Educator of the Year, 2017

UMASS Boston Calderwood Writing Teacher Fellow, 2016-17

Teacher Leader - Curriculum & Instruction, 2017-18

Trained in Restorative Justice, Suffolk University

Instructional Leadership Team Member, 2015-2019

National Partnership for Education Access Leadership Award, 2012

Dog Mom to Ocho, Auntie, writer, visual artist, photographer, runner.