"Act well your part, there all the honor lies." - Alexander Pope

About Me

I am currently the Head Director at Lamar Junior High in Lamar Consolidated ISD. I graduated from the University of St. Thomas in Montrose in Houston, TX in 2015 with a BA in Drama and I graduated from the University of Houston - Main Campus with a MA in Theatre in 2021. 

This is my 21st year doing Theatre and my 7th year teaching Theatre. I have done everything from acting to designing to stage managing and directing. 

Accomplishments

• Built up High School Theatre program by 430%

• Started a Junior High Theatre Program

• Successful High School and Junior High collaborations

• First place UIL OAP I Never Saw Another Butterfly

• Outstanding Tech Crew

• First place advancing show UIL OAP The 146 Point Flame

• Multiple advancing plays between 2017 and 2023

• Regular Proficient and Accomplished ratings in TTESS

My Teaching Philosophy

Every student can learn, and should be given the opportunity to do so.  The classroom should not be a place of stress and anxiety but a place of knowledge and comfort.  It will be an environment that students want to be in and be nurturing and enriching.  

Learning should always be fun!  It should be inviting and comforting! My classroom is a place where students feel welcome and happy.  My classroom is a no negativity zone where the students can feel free to say what is on their mind without fearing judgement. 

My Philosophy on Classroom Management

I believe in creating a positive and supportive classroom environment where everyone feels respected and valued. Setting clear expectations and consequences can help students understand what is expected of them and what will happen if they don't meet those expectations. It is important to be consistent and fair in enforcing those expectations. To me, being fair means to meet the child where they are and that does not always mean the same consequences for each student. For particularly difficult students, I think it is important to try to understand why a student is behaving in a difficult way and to address the root cause of the behavior.  Sometimes, students act out because they are struggling with something, whether it is academic or personal.  It is important to provide support and resources to help them overcome those challenges. At the same time, it is important to set clear expectations for behavior and to enforce consequences when those expectations are not met. 

Why I Teach Theatre

I teach theatre because I want to show students that there is more to it than just acting on a stage. I want to show them that theatre can help them in all aspects of their lives from public speaking and confidence to problem solving and thinking on the spot. 

My Influences

Some of the most influential people in my life were my theatre teachers in high school and college along with my cohort from University of Houston Summer MA program class of 2021. Without them I would not be the Theatre Educator I am today. 

Paul Shaffer was my high school theatre teacher when I was in 9th grade before he moved on to a new school. In college I had the pleasure of working with Claire McDonald, Eric Domuret, and Sam Havens. These three educators have had the biggest impact on my theatre life. And just my life in general.