I believe deeply in the transformative power of creativity. I believe that the arts provide a platform for students to develop 21st century skills: creative flexibility; nonlinear problem solving; resilience; empathy; collaboration; critical thinking. When students make art and music, they are empowered to explore their unique perspective through nonlinear, visual and auditory means, and pursue active, constructive methods to examine the self, connecting their ideas with their communities in positive, meaningful ways. In order for learning to be truly authentic, students need to be given the opportunity to develop and deeply explore lines of inquiry unique to their passions and interests.

Education:

B.F.A., Fine Arts (Painting; Art Education), Parsons School of Design

A.O.S., Culinary Arts, Western Culinary Institute

M.S., Education (Curriculum and Instruction), Portland State University