I am a teacher first, instructional coach second. I am from Hope Mills, NC where I worked as a kindergarten, first, and second grade teacher. I have also worked in and with third, fourth, and fifth grades in different capacities. I have been a classroom teacher, remediation teacher, K-5 instructional coach, and Singapore Math coach. I have spent much of my career working with beginning teachers and I love it. This past school year was my first year working in New Hanover County Schools.

My Bachelor of Arts Degree is in Elementary Education and English (double major) and I received it from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I earned my Master's Degree in Education K-8 with a science concentration. I am currently working to complete my Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership through East Carolina University. I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy/Language Arts in Early/Middle Childhood. I am blessed to be a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Science and Mathematics Teachers grant recipient, as well as a Fulbrighter and Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship recipient. I served in the United States House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee Office. I am a National Geographic Certified Educator.

It is very typical for me to have a book in hand, as I love to read. I am happiest when I am both reading and traveling. Global/international education is my love and I am happy to board a plane and go almost anywhere in the world. I have traveled currently to 48 countries. I enjoy writing grants and taking/sharing professional development, particularly if it is focused on global education.

My faith is very important to me. Once people get to know me well, they know I love thoughtful gestures, cards/notes, quotes, and a really good laugh.


Professional Information:

  • Alderman Road Elementary Teacher of the Year

  • Wal-Mart Local Teacher of the Year

  • North Carolina Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year

  • Fulbrighter to Japan and Singapore

  • World View Study Tour Participant (2011-2017)

  • Earthwatch TEACH Earth Fellow and Ambassador (2012 and 2017)

  • Chinese Bridge Delegation and Sino-American Bridge for Education and Health (2013)

  • NOAA Teacher at Sea (2014)

  • America's Unofficial Ambassador to Indonesia (2014 and 2015)

  • Career Award for Science and Mathematics Teacher Grant Recipient (2015-2021)

  • Honeywell Educator at Space Academy Fellow and Ambassador (2016 and 2018)

  • U.S-Arab Bilateral Chamber of Commerce TEACH Fellowship to Bahrain (2017)

  • Qatar Foundation International Fellow to Morocco (2018)

  • Fund for Teachers Fellow to Singapore (2018)

  • Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow in the United States House of Representatives (2018-2019)

  • NEA Global Learning Fellow (2019-2021)

  • New Hanover County Schools Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee Member (2019-2021)

  • North Carolina Science Leadership Association Fellow (2020-2022)

  • NC Public School Forum Education Policy Fellowship Program Fellow (2020-2021)