I’m a career educator passionate about supporting school leaders, parents and students. I’ve spent 19 years working in ground breaking schools, technology and programs across the country. I completed a traditional education major of Middle Child Education from John Carroll University, a Jesuit university with a mission of service to others. At age 22, I moved to Charlotte, NC to work at a Blue Ribbon IB Middle School. There I was trained in IB, served as grade team lead and on committee to support character education schoolwide.

After 3 years I was presented with the opportunity to join Uncommon Schools at Kings Collegiate as the founding 6th grade math teacher. I would also start my masters degree with Hunter College and the pilot program of what would eventually become Relay Graduate School of Education. In graduate school we were taught classes by Doug Lemov the author of Teach Like a Champion, Dave Levin, the founder of KIPP Schools, and Stephanie Ely now the CAO of Zearn. I learned how to think deeply about math instruction and produce exemplary results with my Brooklyn students performing top of New York State.

After the hustle and bustle of New York City, I spent time working from my hometown in the digital space, writing curriculum plans for Computers for Youth, and digital content for Zearn. While volunteering for Boys and Girls Club was a way to stay connected to students, it is not the same as working in schools.

So when I had a call from a friend to support a struggling school in New Orleans, I knew it was time to return to schools. This opportunity came with instructional coaching, curriculum planning for a large network of schools, as well as leading and planning network wide professional development. The teachers and leaders I had the opportunity to partner with in New Orleans wore outstanding, creative, and innovative. Seeking continued development I accepted the National Principal Academy Fellowship a year long fellowship for instructional leaders and principals.

After the fellowship I returned to my home state of Pennsylvania to experience a new kind of charter schools in the city of Philadelphia, turn around charter schools. Mastery Schools is an expansive network of turnaround charter schools. This time period brought me back to full time teaching in the classroom.

As 16 years of working in title one schools took it’s toll physically, I opted for a walking commute to a prek-8 stand alone charter in Center City Philadelphia. I do some contract work on the side for Goalbook an edtech company supporting special education services, as well as the Museum of Natural History. I am currently one of two math specialists in our building, allowing me work with Kindergarten through 8th grade everyday.

Math Teacher Summer Camp is my new adventure. Summer leaves me with too much time on my hands. I want more time spent with passionate young educators. I want to share many things I have learned over my career and continue my own journey in development by learning from wonderful teachers and leaders from across the country.