Hi there! I've been working in SLPS since the 2018-19 school year! This is my 7th year teaching. I got my start at Compton-Drew ILC Middle School as a Creative Writing Teacher and then as an 8th Grade Communication Arts teacher. I loved working with this grade level but after the pandemic I felt like I needed a change of pace and made the switch to high school.I am incredibly excited to be a member of CVPA this year.

My Education:

I grew up in Denver, CO and graduated from South High School. I want kids to know my story and so I say openly and honestly that I was NOT a great student. I took a semester off during Junior year, and had to complete after school credit recovery and a summer school course in order to stay on track to graduate- I had honestly considered dropping out. I am very grateful to the teachers at my high school for taking the time to really sit and talk with me about the things I wanted in life- without them I would not be where I am today. I spent 7 years completing my undergraduate degree- I just could not for the life of me figure out what I wanted to do! I eventually figured out that I love working with kids and set my major to education. I transferred from the Metroploitan State University of Denver to UMSL and graduated with my Bachelor's degree in 2016, 2 years later I felt the call to go back to college and got my Masters from Lindenwood in 2022.

Me Outside School:

Outside the educational realm, I am a stepmother to a 9-year-old little girl and a momma to be- I'm due in January 2025 and very excited. I'm a fiancé, daughter, and best friend as well- I have 2 small dogs, Cooper The Super Pooper and Reeses Pieces- a schnoodle and a chiweenie respectively. I also have a crazy cat named Dottie that mostly lives in the basement with my mom. Thats right! I have a multigenerational home! My mom, my fiancé, his daughter and our soon-to-be little one all live under one roof, and we love it! Grandma gets to see her grandkids all the time and we are ALWAYS laughing! It is a good little home and we love it! 

Hobbies:

Reading- currently reading Solito for the second time

Cooking- anything that baby makes me crave! 

Baking- Pumpkin bread or muffins are a big favorite for the fall in our home! We even make our own Apple Butter to put on them! 

Playing Video Games- 1) No I will not play with students, and 2) I play a lot of different things- right now I'm doing a lot of Minecraft with my kiddo or playing Fallout IV. 

Educational Quote to live by:

"Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can be." Rita Pierson

For me this quote rings so true based on the types of teachers I had growing up. They were always in my corner and really tried to build connections with me. I aim to emulate that in the way that I teach and interact with my students. I'm always an open ear and a willing mediator of student conflict. I genuinely love and enjoy helping kids figure out how to solve problems and talk through their diasgreements.