Welcome to Sixth Grade in Studio #318

Curious Minds. Kind Hearts. Endless Possibilities.

Welcome! I'm so glad you're here.

I believe sixth grade is about much more than academics. It's a year of tremendous growth as students become more independent, discover their strengths, develop confidence, and prepare for the exciting transition to middle school. My goal is to create a classroom where every student feels seen, valued, challenged, and inspired. A place where curiosity is celebrated, questions are encouraged, thinking is made visible, and everyone knows they belong.

With nearly three decades of teaching in the Del Mar Union School District, I continue to find joy in helping students become confident learners and compassionate people. As our school's No Place for Hate coordinator, fostering a classroom built on kindness, empathy, respect, and inclusion is at the heart of everything I do. I believe every child has unique talents and perspectives to contribute, and I strive to create an environment where students feel empowered to take risks, learn from mistakes, and celebrate one another's successes.

Our sixth-grade team believes learning should be active, collaborative, and meaningful. Through Visible Thinking Routines, we encourage students to ask thoughtful questions, communicate their thinking, consider multiple perspectives, and make meaningful connections across all subject areas. Rather than simply memorizing information, students become curious learners who investigate ideas, solve authentic problems, and reflect on their own learning.

We intentionally integrate the Del Mar Union School District's Portrait of a Learner into everyday learning, helping students become critical thinkers, effective communicators, collaborative teammates, creative innovators, resilient problem-solvers, and reflective learners who take ownership of their growth.

Social-emotional learning is woven into everything we do. Through the Second Step curriculum and intentional community-building experiences, we help students strengthen empathy, emotional regulation, responsible decision-making, conflict resolution, and self-advocacy while fostering positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging.

I believe the strongest partnerships are built between home and school, and I look forward to working alongside you to support your child throughout this exciting year of learning, growth, and discovery.

What You Can Expect This Year

Sixth grade is an exciting year of exploration, independence, and tremendous growth. As a sixth-grade team, we work together to provide engaging, consistent, and meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for a successful transition to middle school. Throughout the year, students strengthen their critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills while developing the confidence to take on new challenges.

Across all subject areas, students are encouraged to ask questions, think deeply, and make meaningful connections. In Language Arts, they analyze literature and informational texts while strengthening their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through narrative, argumentative, and research-based writing. In Mathematics, students develop conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning as they explore ratios, algebraic expressions and equations, geometry, and statistics while explaining their thinking and persevering through challenging problems. Through the study of ancient civilizations in Social Studies and hands-on investigations in Science, students examine multiple perspectives, investigate real-world questions, and use evidence to deepen their understanding of the world around them.

Equally important, we believe some of the most meaningful learning happens beyond academics. Throughout the year, students strengthen organization, responsibility, perseverance, collaboration, leadership, and self-advocacy while building positive relationships and contributing to a classroom community where kindness, respect, and belonging are valued every day.

Together, we'll make this a year filled with curiosity, growth, meaningful learning, and unforgettable experiences.

Beyond the Classroom

I believe learning extends far beyond the classroom. Some of life's greatest lessons come from exploring new places, embracing challenges, and spending time with the people who matter most.

My husband, Craig, is a retired Solana Beach lifeguard and former Advanced Placement mathematics teacher in the San Dieguito Union High School District. Together, we've enjoyed raising our family in Solana Beach. Our son, Noah, is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomolecular Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, and our daughter, Kalea, is an accountant/auditor with Ernst & Young in La Jolla.

As longtime Solana Beach residents, we love taking advantage of everything our beautiful community has to offer. Whether I'm mountain biking, rock climbing, practicing Pilates, surfing, hiking local trails, or backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, I enjoy staying active and embracing new adventures. I also love reading, traveling, exploring art, cooking, and spending quality time with family, friends, and our Australian Shepherd, Makai.

The same qualities I value outside the classroom—curiosity, perseverance, creativity, teamwork, and a sense of adventure—are the ones I hope to inspire in my students every day. I believe learning should be joyful, meaningful, and lifelong, and I feel incredibly fortunate to spend each day helping young people discover their strengths and realize their potential.