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.