I’m thrilled to be your 7th-grade social studies teacher! This year, we will explore modern world history from the 1400s to the present through engaging, thought-provoking lessons that help us make connections to the world we live in today. The question we will explore and return to throughout the year is: How are our lives shaped by people we’ve never met?

I’ve been a teacher for over 20 years, and I still love teaching and the energy, curiosity, and unapologetic authenticity that middle schoolers bring to the classroom every day. I have a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in language arts and social studies, and a master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Supervision, both from UNC Wilmington. I’m also a National Board Certified Teacher. I LOVE learning and hope to spark that same excitement in my students.

In my classroom, students do more than memorize names and dates. We learn to think like historians by analyzing evidence, asking thoughtful questions, considering different perspectives, making connections, collaborating with others, and supporting our ideas with evidence. I also enjoy working with students outside of social studies through Knight Voices, a student leadership class that elevates student voices, produces a podcast, and finds creative ways to promote and celebrate all that is good at Roland Grise. I am also excited to work with the Dance Team this year.

Outside the classroom, I live with my husband, Davis, who is a geologist; our son, Liam, who is an eighth grader at RGMS; and our goofy, sweet yellow lab, Zoey. Davis and Liam both play soccer, so our family spends a lot of time at soccer games and following the Premier League. I also have a background in theater, dance, and yoga, and I’m a big fan of books, word puzzles, games, and travel. Kindness and respect in both our words and our actions are very important to me. I work hard to create a classroom that is safe, welcoming, and inspiring for everyone.

Let’s make it a meaningful and memorable year together!