I’ve experienced the immeasurable joy of mentoring students—uncovering lived stories from their fertile imaginations. For my educational perspective of arts-based literacy, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and mindfulness in the classroom, I was awarded the Chuck Thompson Award for Master of Arts in Teaching and the Outstanding Master of Arts in Teaching award from the University of Louisville in 2021. 

The arts have been a part of my life since age three. I grew up on stage, performing musicals while my father played music in the pit. I took arts-related classes growing up and went to a performing arts school as a piano major beginning at age 12. I continue to perform and play music for theater companies. I prioritize sharing my talents for art that encourages social change including performing in Gloria: A Life, Southern Comfort, and Sordid Lives. 

My entry point for collaging was through a friend and a talented visual artist. We would hang out and talk about psychology while she introduced me to different visual art techniques. Then, Brené Brown’s art-journaling classes came to me, opening me to explore my relationship with shame and vulnerability. Art journaling and collage became my retreat to mindfully process depression, abuse, joy, and expansion. I then began to share collage and art journaling with my health coaching clients and my students as a way to process and explore behavioral patterning and emotional literacy. 

Before working with teens, I earned a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology with a focus on cognitive behavior change, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. Working for over two decades in the wellness industry I had numerous career highlights including presenting at American College of Sports Medicine conferences, designing and facilitating wellness curricula for corporations, and owning my wellness business.

When I’m not teaching, I spend my time taking dance classes, playing piano, practicing energy healing, and performing with the local arts community.