About

I am a single-parent to a 14 and a 16 year old as well as two adorable chihuahuas. My teaching style is a lot like my parenting style – Let’s have fun, but be respectful. I try my best to model the right behavior for my kids while being sarcastic and funny. Life is far too short to take it too seriously.

Born in Los Angeles in the mid 80s, I did most of my growing up in San Jose. Though I live in Wyoming right now, just outside of Yellowstone National Park, I look forward to living in Portland (a dirty word here in WY) in the near future.

It’s been a busy twenty years — I graduated high school in 2003, lost my mom to cancer in 2005, had my first child in 2007, the next in 2008, began teaching in 2015, lost my father in 2022, got divorced in 2023… And have finally made the leap into pursuing my passion for content development full-time in 2023. Now I can add teacherpreneur, mompreneur, and woman-operated business owner to my list of accomplishments!

Education

San Francisco State University, 2013
BA in Writing & Publishing

Western Governors University, 2021
MA in Teaching

Liberty University, 2023
MA in Adolescent Developmental Counseling

Duke University, 2023
Certified Wellness Coach

Experience

My experience in teaching and content development goes back to my childhood when I spent countless hours playing on the one computer our house had (it was the early 90s) with Microsoft’s Greetings Workshop. It was a very basic computer program for making print-at-home greeting cards. I used it to create magazines, calendars, and pretend lesson plans. I began college thinking I’d go into digital media, but realized I wanted to work with content I truly cared about and was impactful.

Working in a field that was meaningful to the greater world, like teaching, became a driving force behind my education. I hesitated getting my teaching credentials because I didn’t want to be “trapped” in a brick-and-mortar classroom. As my friends know, I’m a wild and free spirit that lives by the beat of my own drum… But after teaching Korean exchange students, homeschooling my daughter, starting my own tutoring company, and working as a private school humanities teacher I decided I should take the next step and get my teaching credentials. So I earned my Master’s Degree in Teaching Secondary English.

As it turns out, I was right in thinking classroom teaching wasn’t for me. So I returned to school for a second master’s, this time in Adolescent Developmental Counseling. I now use my mental health and teaching experiences in tandem to create engaging curricula that appeals to the social-emotional learning (SEL) of 6th through 12th grade students. I can finally travel and teach (sort of) and that is all I have ever wanted.

Experience

Freelance Curriculum Development
August 2016 – 2023

6th – 12th English Teacher August 2021 – May 2022

Published Children’s Book Author
April 2018

Humanities Teacher June 2014 – December 2016

Inclusion Advocate & Project Coordinator YMCA Project Cornerstone
December 2015-2017

Freelance Content Creator for Jam City Mobile Games
April 2015

IES Homeschool Curriculum Vendor
December 2014 – 2018

Freelance Editor for Spec Scout Screenplay Development May 2013 – August 2015

Recognition

As a passionate life-long learner I greatly enjoy continuing my education. Most recently I have earned my wellness coaching certificate from Duke University. I have also garnered dozens of five star reviews on Teachers Pay Teachers where I sell a majority of my curriculum.

I have led numerous events, participated in a number of volunteer organizations such as YMCA, Project Cornerstone, NSLS, AGS, and HSPCA.

Recognition & Awards

National Society of Leadership & Success Member
May 2020-Present

Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society Leader
December 2010 – 2011

Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society Member
December 2009 – 2011