With 20 years of teaching experience, I bring a unique perspective to education. Before earning my English degree, I spent five years as a ski coach, where instructing and coaching provided me with invaluable teaching skills. I have had the privilege of guiding students from 7th grade through to College English courses (101 and 175). For five transformative years, I served as the Educational Specialist for Idaho, advocating passionately for students impacted by the child welfare system. My commitment to fostering innovation in education earned me an award for creating engaging programming aimed at at-risk students. I was also honored to be the introductory speaker for Simone Biles at a national conference in Seattle, where I accepted this prestigious national award. My experience extends to working in a vibrant refugee program, embracing the unique challenges of teaching students who speak 20 different languages. This multifaceted background has deepened my appreciation for the diverse experiences that shape our learners.

Outside the classroom, I am an enthusiastic hot yoga practitioner, skier, and hiker. I hold two Master’s degrees, one in Education with an emphasis on culture and reading and another in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am particularly interested in how reading and writing (and speaking and listening) can enrich our lives in countless ways, empowering individuals to learn self-regulation while expressing themselves and connecting with the world and others around them.