Bio

Since 2002, I have been working as a graphic designer for various weekly newspapers and as a freelance artist in Maine and Idaho. Ad design, page layout, diagrams, and illustrations were my bread and butter. I learned not only about the power of smart design, but the wins in collaborating with my team, other departments, and clients. I became dexterous and gained a solid appreciation for how a well-built image can successfully convey ideas. I have also worked in an educational capacity as a Registered Maine Whitewater Guide, training and leading paddling crews for thrilling runs through Class 5 rapids. When not on the river, I taught horsemanship at Camp Ketch in Scarborough, Maine, instructed rock climbing and I coached for the non-profit after school program Girls on the Run in Idaho. I loved the connection I made with my students. Seeing them understand for themselves that what they were learning was not only enjoyable but empowering.

I have earned my Masters in Art Teaching from MECA, I am captivated by the teaching framework Studio Thinking and the Eight Habits of Mind. I hold a BFA in Painting from the UMass, Amherst. This framework works perfectly with my understanding of the artistic process and I look forward to sharing it with students. Besides Studio Thinking, I’m intrigued by the theory of Multiple Intelligences. I appreciate how this approach caters to a child’s uniqueness and how it will enable my lessons to be adjusted to play to their strengths, ensuring a better learning experience. I worked together with skilled mentors at Poland Community School, and Hall-Dale High School, both in Maine. I absorbed the experiences and my mentors' wisdom of practice.

To me, the art classroom has always been a safe haven for creativity and growth. I aim to continue that atmosphere in my teaching.