This is my 20th year as an educator in Round Rock ISD. I currently serve as the Curriculum Coordinator Elementary Language Arts. As a former Round Rock High School graduate, and long-time Round Rock resident, I am honored to work with and serve educators in this great community.

I received my undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Specialization in Reading from Texas State University. I completed my Masters of Education degree in the area of Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Literacy Studies at UT Arlington.

I am passionate about literacy. I am a constructivist in my beliefs of teaching and learning; I believe that learning is an active and constructive process. In my beliefs, the role of a teacher is to: research kids constantly and respond to their strengths and needs through teaching, reflect on practice daily as a continuous learner, act culturally proficiently in methods and actions, to collaborate with our colleagues, and to build strong relationships so that ALL feel their value. One of my favorite quotes is from Donald Graves, "We need to look for, listen for and feel the heartbeats in our students. That's where the energy is, for us and them." Yes, Mr. Graves, I concur!

On a personal note, I live in Round Rock with my husband, Cris, and two beautiful boys Maximo Cristiano, my son, and Dimitri, my step-son. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, cooking, and salsa dancing with my husband (when I have the chance). I think I live in the best place in Texas... the Austin-area.

It wouldn't be a full bio without sharing three of my favorite books of all time. Goodnight Moon is a book that brings me back to the wee, tiny infant days of reading to my new son, Maximo. Today, we still love to share this bedtime story together! So sweet. Frindle is another nostalgic children's book for me. It is one of the first books that I remember reading alongside a book club in my class as a fourth grade teacher. My students always loved this book. Then, pretty much any Mo Willems book rounds out this sharing list. As a young reader, my step-son, Dimitri connected with Pigeon and requested these stories every night. Love the Mo Willems humor!