Above all else, I am a problem solver who is always looking for ways to make things better. To accomplish this I utilize a both/and philosophy, macro/micro equational systems, and lateral creative thinking. Additionally, I fully connect with Google’s “10x Goal Setting” and the idea that we can make incredible progress if we work to get 1% better each day. I look at everything through this analytical lens, including everyday activities like my morning routine to the organization of my closet, but especially when it comes to my “Why”. 

Shortly after I graduated college I read Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” and the development of my “Why” has driven every decision I’ve made since. I believe that the most important thing one can do is help provide the best possible educational experience for everyone. My analytical lens has allowed me to constantly reflect upon what I do and how I do it to ensure that I am constantly striving to achieve my “Why”. 

I graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science degree in K - 6th Grade Elementary Education and within a year added 7th to 9th grade certifications for English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. As I interviewed for teaching positions, I was regularly asked what I wanted to teach and my answer was always the same, “I just want to teach.”. To me, teaching is teaching people how to learn and make progress. The content that is being delivered is the tool through which you do that, but it doesn’t hurt that I am interested in learning pretty much everything the world has to offer so I am willing to learn any content to teach it. 

As someone who plans out every aspect of their life, after switching from 6th grade Reading, English, and Language Arts, to 7th grade Social Studies, to 8th grade Science, I landed in 8th grade Social Studies, which is where I thought I’d be for the rest of my teaching career. Along the way I had earned my Master of Education degree, but my analytical mind and drive to make progress pushed me forward. 

In 2014 I started my PreK - 12th grade Administration Certification program and was named a Keystone Technology Innovator, which is a program that recognizes the top educators in Pennsylvania implementing technology into their classrooms. Those two experiences set me down a winding path that I never would have imagined. 

After obtaining my Administration Certification I was able to originate a position titled Supervisor of Educational Technology for the Pennsbury School District. In that position I was able to help plan and implement a 1:1 Chromebook program for their 10,000 students. Collaborating with educators to analyze their teaching practices and determine how educational technology could help them all while spreading my Why is a job I never could have imagined. 

In another turn I didn’t see coming, in 2019 I became the Director of Technology for the Pennsbury School District. Being in that position gave me the opportunity to analyze a $2.7 million budget, organize materials across multiple departments, create sustainable plans for district wide tools and infrastructure, and implement a team of Educational Technology Coaches across our district. All those experiences became very useful when our district was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. We were prepared to immediately adjust to a remote learning environment while still providing constant support for all members of our community. This was not an easy task, but years of preparation and planning allowed us to continually make the right decisions for our students to provide them with positive learning experiences during the most challenging time the world of education has faced.

Although technology has played a major role in my career, I am a firm believer that it is not always the solution to a problem. I think we should look at all resources available to us and select the best tools for the job. This philosophy extends to my personal life along with the entire teaching and learning process, especially when creating personalized experiences. 

Teaching is in no way easy, but I always strive to make the right decision, not the easy one. There are countless educational theories, practices, tools, resources, programs, and acronyms for teachers to consider and the time they have to do so is unbelievably limited, but equally unbelievably valuable. The entire educational process is not just an Art or a Science, it is a combination of both that can be attained through focusing on people, planning, and pedagogy. 

I decided to leave my position in a school district because I believe that my knowledge, experiences, skills, and mindset can help people capitalize on the rapid spread of technology in the world of education and workplaces. To make progress in this area, to truly revolutionize the way teaching and learning occurs, there needs to be sustained partnerships and collaboration. You may have had the experience of someone coming in to do a presentation for a day and then you never hear from them again. I’m sure that the information was incredibly valuable, but spending one day isn’t going to help truly change anything. I created Modernizing Comprehensive Learning for All to help fulfill my “Why”, but more importantly to make lasting connections with the people I partner with as that is how we can work together to provide the best educational experience for everyone.

Keystone Technology Innovators Summit 2022 Keynote

• Innovating Learning Experiences for All for Real

Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference: PETE & C

• Revolutionizing Learning Experiences for Real

PDE SAS Institute

• Personalized Learning in Pennsbury

Kiker Learning

• Artificial Intelligence in Education: The Future is Now

• A Model of Excellence for Remote Learning

• Google Classroom as Your Remote Learning Hub

Baltimore Public Schools, Maryland

• Technology in the Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Classrooms

• Google Meet for Remote Classes

Bayonne Board of Education, New Jersey

• STEAM Tank for Students

Caldwell West School District, New Jersey

• Innovating Instruction with EdPuzzle

Council Rock School District, Pennsylvania

• Google Workspace for Education in Action

Crisp County Schools, Georgia

• Google Educator Level 2 Prep

Florence Schools, South Carolina

• Picture Yourself RACE(E)ing to Success: TDA with Picture Books

Hasbrouck Heights School District, New Jersey

• Google Shared Drives for Document Access

• Getting Started with Google

• Advanced Google Workspace for Education Tools

• Innovative Classroom Design

Hudson County, New Jersey

• Amplify Student Voice and Choice with Project-Based Learning

• Assessing and Addressing Student Needs

• Engagement with Google Sites

• Providing Meaningful Digital Feedback

Kearny School District, New Jersey

• Digital Escape Rooms with Google Tools

Keyport Public Schools, New Jersey

• Utilizing Google Calendar

• School Board Agenda Process

Medford School District, New Jersey

• Teaching and Learning in the Post Covid Classroom 6th to 8th Grade Science 

North Penn School District, Pennsylvania

• Panelist for Implementing Educational Technology Tools

Oceanport School District, New Jersey

• Improving Tier 1 Instruction: Station Rotation and Visual Thinking

Spotswood Public Schools, New Jersey

• Integrating Technology into Instructional Practices

• Technology Integration for Art and Music

• Advanced Chromebook Features

Winslow Township School District, New Jersey

• Getting to Know Google

Millersville University

• Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education 

• Minor in Psychology

Cabrini University

• Master of Education

• Administrative Certification