I have eighteen years of experience in education.  My love of literacy and working with non-native English speakers began with serving as an AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America).  I established community after-school reading programs for non-native English speaking children and trained tutors with the San Diego Council on Literacy.  My experience as an AmeriCorps*VISTA propelled me towards Teach For America.  

As a Corps Member of Teach for America in the San Francisco Bay Area, I taught English Immersion to kindergarten students in East Palo Alto, California.   I earned a Cross-cultural, Language, and Academic Development teaching credential from San Jose State University and a Masters of Arts in Teaching Specializing in Reading Instruction from National University in La Jolla, California.  After completion of my commitment to Teach for America I returned to Houston, Texas.

My first year in Houston I taught second grade at Our Lady of Fatima in Galena Park, Texas.  The next year, I returned to public education with the Houston Independent School District.  I taught first grade and worked as a Reading First campus literacy coach for grades pre-kindergarten through third grade.  

In 2006, my husband and I moved to Austin.   I wanted to continue to work with English language learners.  I taught fifth-grade reading and social studies at Smith Elementary in Del Valle Independent School District.  Later, I completed the Principal Certification Network program at Region 13 and became an assistant principal at Smith Elementary and Gilbert Elementary.  In the summer of 2013, my son was born and I accepted the district position as the  Elementary English Language Arts and Reading Coordinator.

In 2016, I began serving as a Campus Support Specialist at Barton Creek and this has been a wonderful and wanted balance for my work and family life.  I love being at Barton Creek and teaching our wonderful Blue Jays!  

I completed my Wilson Language WRS Level 1 certification during the 2017-2018 school year.  I am currently, certified as a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner.

A little about me and my family...   I grew up between Casper, Wyoming and Houston, Texas.  I had the luxury of spending my school-years in Houston and my summer vacations in Wyoming.  I graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Communication.  I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and our dog!   Our family dog has earned his AKC Good Canine Citizen Certificate and is certified as a complex therapy dog with The Dog Alliance.  I love to cook for my family, friends, and colleagues - trying a new food or recipe is always an adventure.   My son and I enjoy reading together and make a weekly trip to the public library.   I personally enjoy reading comedy fiction and historical fiction.  Our family also enjoys being outdoors, playing board games, card games, and Mexican train dominoes.