My educational journey began in the foothills of North Carolina where I was born in Morganton and raised in Hickory. Several of my extended family members were educators and I enjoyed mimicking their profession. During the endless summers, I would transform small patches in the woods or shady spots near the creek into my classroom and recruit my younger siblings and cousins to come and join. Using leftover workbooks from our elementary school, favorite picture books from my bedroom, and manipulatives collected around the house, we would play school for as long as the "students" were willing or until a game of basketball beckoned.
During my undergraduate experience at UNC-Asheville, I had the opportunity as a scholarship athlete to speak to and meet with students at local elementary schools. During this time with the Bulldog Buddy Program, I mentored a little girl that made a lasting impression as she solidified my desire to pursue a degree in Education. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Elementary Education, I began to hone my craft as an elementary classroom teacher in Catawba County Schools while coaching at the high school varsity and club level. Eventually, I moved to Chapel Hill to further my education. While teaching 4th grade in the Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools, I graduated with a Master’s in Education in K-12 Literacy from UNC-Chapel Hill, received Licensure as a Reading Specialist, and earned a National Board Certification.
In considering my next endeavor in my professional journey, I envisioned engaging in a vibrant school community where students are active participants in the learning process, parents are partners in their child’s educational journey, teachers are professionals afforded the opportunity to engage students in a variety of instructional approaches, and administrators are visionaries who facilitate practices leading to continued growth. I have observed and experienced these characteristics at Woods Charter School and am excited about being an integral part of this dynamic team.