About Me

I was born in Truckee, California and was lucky enough to be born and raised in the Lake Tahoe area. I attended college in Humboldt County, San Diego and Chico. While going to school in San Diego, I was fortunate to work in a school as a teacher's aide for two fourth and two fifth grade classes. Working with such amazing students helped me realize that a teacher can make a huge difference in the lives of the students they work with. The difference lies not only in the quality of the education that the teacher imparts, but also the relationship developed between student and teacher, which relies on mutual respect, inspiration and support. This was the beginning of my quest and passion to become a teacher.

I moved back to Lake Tahoe and gained my BA in English Writing with a minor in history from the University of Nevada, Reno. While working toward this degree I met Gillian Tomasini, who helped and inspired me to follow my dream to become a teacher. I received my credential in Elementary Education in Nevada and California through my work as a student teacher at Creekside Charter School, in the classroom of my mentor, Gillian Tomasini. I worked as the fifth grade teacher for Creekside Charter School for four years, from 2013-2017. I acquired my Masters of Arts in Teaching from Sierra Nevada College during the summer of 2014.
I moved to Summerland, California in June 2017, following my heart. I was hired as a seventh grade English and Honors English teacher at Vandenberg Middle School in the fall of 2017, and received my Introductory English certification in October 2017. In my seven years at VMS I taught ELD classes, Leadership and Drama in addition to English and Honors English. I acquired my Reading and Literacy authorization in the fall of 2023 and acquired my secondary license in English in the fall of 2024. I am also working towards my GATE certification. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner and also enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, swimming, bike riding, and crafts of all kinds as well as spending time with my husband and our young son.

Education is more than just what we learn inside a classroom. As a lover of learning of all types, I have been fortunate enough to follow my passions in multiple areas, and I seek to instill that love of learning in my students. However, education also takes the form of learning life lessons through relationships, self-discovery and personal responsibility. While teaching students in multiple subjects, I also seek to develop relationships with the students, and inspire them to foster relationships with one another; relationships that can facilitate their growth, inspire them to reach their goals, take mistakes as learning opportunities, and realize that their lives are their own to nurture and develop. Through high expectations and a warm, nurturing and friendly environment, I seek to create a classroom that teaches students to be critical thinkers, and that empowers them to be creators and innovators of their own unique lives.

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