Welcome to WIS! What would you like us to know about you?
Coming to WIS will be my 4th country and 4th continent to teach on! I am so excited to learn alongside the students of WIS!
Could you tell us a little about your philosophy of education?
I believe learning needs to incorporate relevant challenges with opportunities for finding creative solutions through project-based learning and as many performance-based assessments as possible so students develop skills similar to those they will need in the workforce. Class, small group, and paired discussions are incredibly valuable tools for thinking and learning. I encourage academic risk-taking — making a guess is celebrated in my classroom; with how fast the world is changing and jobs that don’t even exist yet, risk-taking will be an important skill for young people today. Healthy risk-taking is a skill that requires courage and practice.
I believe in holding high standards and working to provide support to allow every learner to reach those standards.
People often like to know their teacher’s academic background and professional experiences. What and where have you studied? Where have you worked?
I had a variety of educational experiences growing up, attending 11 different schools from K-12th grade. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies Education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas, USA. I am certified to teach 4th-8th and 8th-12th social studies courses. Since then, I have added teaching certifications in both Special Education K-12 and English as a Second Language K-12.
I have worked in both rural and inner-city schools in Texas. Then, I was a part of the founding team, opening a brand new American curriculum gender-separate school in Qatar, in the Middle East. My emphasis was on developing a strong, vertically aligned social studies program as well as a leadership academy program to facilitate student growth in relevant social and emotional learning skills. Then, I taught at an all-boys school in Brisbane, Australia.
What do you do when you aren't teaching?
I love to be outdoors, walking or hiking. I’m like a fish who loves to be in or on the water. I love dancing to all different styles and genres of music, and I love to be introduced to new types of music, the latest being Chinese rap from my students in Australia! I love exploring the world, trying new activities, and learning about other cultures and sharing in their cultural experiences. Similar to many of my students, I love sleeping in as late as possible in the morning!
Why did you choose WIS?
I chose WIS because of a shared passion and belief that diverse voices need to be seen and heard in the classroom, especially ones that reflect the student population. The belief that every perspective is valued and should be considered and celebrated, no matter a person’s nationality, skin color, or background experience is a quality I was looking for in the fabric of the school culture of the next educational community I joined, which is what led me to want to be a part of WIS.