After graduating from Vale High School in 2003, I attended Eastern Oregon University where I received a Bachelor of Art with a major in English and a minor in Fine Arts in 2007. I graduated with Cum Laude distinction. In 2008, I attended the education program at EOU where I received a Master in Teacher Education degree with endorsements in PK-12 Art, PK-12 Language Arts, and Middle Level Multiple Subjects.
After teaching K-12 art in Enterprise, Oregon I landed back in Malheur County where I taught art at Ontario Middle School for one year. I returned to the hallways of Vale High School in 2010 where I taught a variety of classes for Vale School District throughout the years-- Sophomore English, Yoga, Middle School Art, and High School Art. In 2022, I left VHS for an incredible opportunity as a Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) at Alameda Elementary School in Ontario. This opportunity provided me a unique glimpse into school administration without having to have an admin degree. I learned that I missed the classroom-- especially the art room-- and knew that I was meant to return to teaching. I have LOVED being a part of the Nyssa School District community!
Additionally, I taught as an adjunct Art instructor at Treasure Valley Community College in 2018 where I taught evening painting classes. I found this experience incredibly rewarding, and it was a wonderful opportunity to expand my professional experience. I can now say that I have taught students from Kindergarten-aged students all the way up to college-level students.
I have taken multiple post-graduate level classes and trainings along the way including (but not limited to) social emotional learning, suicide prevention, multicultural awareness, digital learning; and even became an Experienced 500 hour certified yoga teacher in April 2023. I have taught community yoga classes since 2013.
In the past, I served as a member of the Statewide Arts Education Learning Community where I work alongside fellow art educators, artists in residency providers, freelance artists, grant writers, creative writers, musicians, actors and actresses, dancers, and social justice advocates. I am also a member of the National Art Education Association.
Once a month, I hold a community paint class where I walk patrons through the step-by-step process of painting their own artwork. This small side business began in 2016 and allows me an opportunity to not only work with adults but to provide an easily-accessible art opportunity in the community. This side business is an extension of my work as a freelance artist; I create commissioned artworks, with an emphasis on murals (window paintings, nursery paintings, etc.) I have also worked as a lead artist on various projects with The Drexel Foundation, including a large-scale interactive project in which over 100 community members from Malheur County participated. My most recent freelance project was lead designer and artist for the Bella Sims "Dream Big" mural located inside the Vale City Pool. This project was funded by the Bella Sims Dream Big Organization and Speedo. Throughout my professional career, I have written and obtained various grants-- most of which are geared towards obtaining materials, gear, and/or educational opportunities for my art students.
My students have had their artworks displayed at the local and state levels with multiple award recipients.