About Me

All three of my children were born in Florida. My eldest graduated from a Florida high school, but as Florida's educational system became increasingly entangled in state politics, we decided to move to Northampton because of its unwavering liberal values and highly regarded public schools. We are a neurodivergent family with three children—two school-age children, one at JFK and one at NHS, and a twenty-year-old who attends HCC. 

I've experienced firsthand the challenges of stewarding a neurodivergent child through the public school system: the frustration when public schools tell you your child doesn't need an IEP, the sacrifices that deciding to homeschool can bring, the concern that arises when you realize your child may take a bit longer to reach the milestones that others take for granted, and the importance of options that strengthen a child's weaknesses while celebrating their strengths.

I have a B.A. in Political Science and an M.Ed. in Elementary Education, both from Florida Atlantic University. In Florida, I held my Professional Teaching License in Elementary Education (K-5), Social Sciences (6-12), and ESOL. I have taught third and fifth grades, including Tier 2 interventions for both grades. A Tier 2 intervention is standardized, evidence-based instruction provided to small groups of students with a common weakness in a foundational skill by adequately trained staff. During my time in the classroom, I won the school's best teacher of the year award and led my class to winning the school-wide science fair.

I have worked for an online educational company providing both Tier 3 interventions for students in third through twelfth grades and remedial education for adults studying for their GED in both reading and math for students from around the country who were struggling with traditional instructional methods. A Tier 3 intervention is a more individualized and intensive, data-driven intervention for students who have a persistent weakness in a foundational area that was not strengthened through Tier 2 interventions.

For over a decade, I served on the board of one of the largest of Alachua County's 21 elementary schools, beginning as a volunteer and then winning four elections in a row to earn my position as Treasurer and then as President.

I helped the school transition to digital newsletters and the PTA to a nearly paperless organization. I found the funding and volunteers to coordinate the building and 10 years of maintenance for a butterfly garden and outdoor classroom. I established the school's first multicultural parent group, coordinating events to not interfere with any of the four major religions that were represented in our community. I began a program to translate school documents from English into languages that were prominent in our area.

I helped to fundraise around $50,000 annually, which supported reading and mathematics support programs, teacher grants, teacher and staff appreciation events, robotics programs, PBIS programs, playground equipment, school and grounds beautification, at least one new book for every student at the school per year, plus high-ticket items like all-new student furniture for the entire school and new equipment for the cafetorium stage. The funding also provided new office chairs, webcams, and headsets for those who were teaching online during the pandemic.