Welcome, and thank you for visiting my Google Site! Here, you’ll find a variety of learning resources and professional presentations that I’ve facilitated at regional and national conferences. If you have any questions about the content, feel free to reach out.
My philosophy of education is grounded in the belief that equity is non-negotiable. Every child deserves access to high-quality, research-based instruction that fosters critical thinking, compassion, and personal responsibility. In today’s 21st-century learning environment, innovative and personalized teaching practices are crucial for preparing students to thrive in an increasingly complex global society. By integrating modern technology and thoughtful pedagogy, educators can create transformative learning experiences that were previously unimaginable.
I began my career through the Urban Teaching Fellows graduate program at Fordham University in New York City, where I taught in an alternative middle school serving a diverse, high-needs population. This pivotal experience solidified two things for me: I am a lifelong learner, and education is the most powerful tool we have to address social inequities and build a more just society.
After completing my Master of Arts in Teaching at Missouri State University, I taught a variety of English Language Arts courses at Nixa High School in Nixa, Missouri. My role evolved to include serving as the English I team leader, facilitating PLC meetings, developing and implementing common assessments, and overseeing RTI for struggling students. I also had the privilege of sponsoring the school's GSA, which was awarded the GLSEN National GSA of the Year in 2016 for fostering a safe, inclusive environment. My passion for student advocacy took me to the state capital multiple times, where I lobbied alongside students for stronger anti-bullying legislation.
My journey continued at Central High School in Springfield, Missouri, where I expanded my role into blended learning mentorship. I provided training on tools like G Suite, Chromebooks, and Canvas to help teachers enhance their instruction through technology. I also wrote the district-wide curriculum for the virtual “Film as Literature” course. This experience led to a district-wide role as a Blended Learning Specialist, supporting hundreds of teachers and students as part of the IGNiTE initiative. I became a Google Certified Trainer and curated Springfield’s digital edtech tutorial library, furthering my commitment to providing equitable access to learning tools.
As my career in Springfield progressed, I moved into the role of Learning Specialist, which allowed me to broaden my impact on both teachers and students beyond technology integration. In this role, I worked closely with over 400 teachers across multiple sites, providing coaching and professional development not just in edtech, but also in research-based instructional practices, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed teaching. I led coaching cycles using the Cognitive Coaching model, supporting first and second-year teachers to meet their certification requirements and grow into reflective practitioners. My role also included leading professional learning on critical topics such as restorative practices, educational equity, and being an anti-racist educator, ensuring that the learning environments we created were safe, inclusive, and empowering for all students. This opportunity allowed me to build collaborative capacity within PLC teams through the Adaptive Schools framework, further fostering a culture of shared leadership and continuous improvement. The breadth of this role allowed me to support teachers in creating classrooms that engaged students deeply and helped address the diverse needs of the community.
In 2021, I transitioned into an exciting role as Director of Technology and Innovation for the North Kitsap School District in Washington. Here, my work centers on designing and implementing district-wide technology initiatives that foster equitable, adaptive learning environments for all students, including early learners. I have the privilege of leading the charge in bridging the gap between the technology professionals who maintain our systems and the educators who harness these tools to create transformative learning experiences. One of my primary responsibilities has been overseeing the successful launch of the district’s one-to-one technology initiative, NKSDConnected. This initiative has empowered students to access developmentally appropriate digital resources, enabling them to engage in authentic, personalized learning. By ensuring that every student, from early learners to high school seniors, has the tools they need to succeed, we are closing gaps in access and ensuring that our most vulnerable students receive the same high-quality learning opportunities as their peers.
In addition to my work on the instructional side, I lead professional development for all staff, designing both live and asynchronous training that aligns with the district’s strategic goals. This includes supporting our library media specialists and instructional technology specialists as they provide job-embedded coaching to teachers, ensuring that the integration of technology is meaningful, purposeful, and aligned with each school’s instructional goals. I also oversee all library media programming, placing a strong emphasis on foundational literacy, digital citizenship, and student voice. Our goal is to create an environment where every student can thrive academically while developing the digital literacy skills they need to navigate a tech-driven world responsibly.
Throughout my time at North Kitsap, I have been able to secure over 1.5 million dollars in grant funding to support our district’s work in digital equity, adaptive technology, and instructional technology staffing. This funding has been critical in expanding access to high-quality resources, especially for students from underserved communities. My passion for educational technology and equity has also given me the opportunity to present at multiple regional and national conferences, where I share strategies for leveraging technology to create more inclusive, engaging learning environments.
While my professional journey has been incredibly rewarding, nothing compares to the joy I find in my family. My four incredible children are my greatest teachers, and they inspire me every day to be a better learner, leader, and advocate for equitable education.