Studying religion is an ethical imperative in our increasingly religiously-illiterate world. Practically speaking, studying religion helps us to understand our global world, politics, history, and our neighbors. On the sublime level, studying religion is to delve into life's biggest questions. Often, we aim to gain answers in school; religion classes tend lead to more questions. My aim is to provide engaging lessons for all learners to become religiously-literate and to help students reflect on their own lives through the lens of the questions religions ask: how do we live a good life? what do we owe each other? how do we find purpose in the world? what really matters to me?

Equally, Service Learning is an opportunity to engage in asking deep questions. Why are there people suffering in our world? What is the root cause of this? What's my responsibility in taking action? I'm looking forward to working with students on finding meaningful work that challenges them to ask these questions. In my own experience, I've volunteered with the elderly and homelessness in New York. Here in Portland, I volunteer to teach yoga to under-served communities.

I grew up in Pennsylvania and taught in New York City before joining OES. One of my hobbies is exploring the great state of Oregon by hiking, biking, and practicing yoga.

Education:

• BA, College of the Holy Cross 2006

• MTS, Harvard Divinity School 2011