So great to meet you!
Growing up, I did all the things.
I played soccer, took art classes, did gymnastics, and joined the swim team. At one point, I took diving lessons, went to the world championships with my Oddessy of the Mind team (two years in a row, thankyouverymuch), and was later a pole vaulter for the high school track team. I auditioned for community theater, played travel volleyball, and still found time to run around the neighborhood, ride bikes, and hunker down with a good book. As the daughter of an airline stewardess, we also traveled a LOT, which I quickly fell in love with.
My first real job was at an international school in Italy where I taught 5th grade and chronicled all of my weekend adventures in a blog. I was “...hoping to make a difference in the world while having as much fun as possible.” And honestly, that’s still what I’m trying to do.
I loved teaching and returned to the States to teach 4th grade for five years in the Washington, DC, suburbs. Every day was a new adventure, and I loved it! My students taught me so much about the world.
While I grew more passionate about the mission of education, many students in my school were still struggling and I watched my fellow teachers burn out around me. Frustrated and idealistic, I declared, “This can’t be! The system is broken! I’m going to go study policy and just fix the system!” The obvious solution, of course.
I got married, moved to Seattle for grad school at the University of Washington, and quickly learned that the system is very hard to simply “fix.” But I also learned how many other people and organizations are working tirelessly to support student success within the vast and layered education system. I learned how my skillset can support students in more capacities than direct classroom teaching.
Since then, I’ve been working with teachers, education institutions, and mission-driven organizations to make an impact on student success through writing, teaching, and coaching. (Learn more about my work here!)
I’m an Enneagram 7w8—the Opportunist. We “strive to live life to the fullest, embracing adventure while remaining present and grounded.” I work hard and play hard, and my early quest for adventure and love of trying new things translate to my work. New projects excite me, and I am always jazzed to learn more about what lights other people up. I am passionate about supporting big dreams and helping people live the best version of their lives.
Can we work together to drive your mission forward? Reach out! I’d love to meet you.