I teach kids.
The classroom is my calling. I have never felt more at home than I do when I am perched on a desk, holding a novel, listening to a teenager tell me how this book has changed their thinking. I love guiding kids through literature, helping them articulate their thoughts on paper, and watching their eyes light up. I am passionate about helping kids become the best readers and writers they can be, using everything from today’s advanced technology tools to good old-fashioned books made of paper. There is nothing that fills my heart like watching a student learn.
English (6-12)
Dramatic Writing for Film, Television, and Theater
AP Literature and Composition
AP Language and Composition
Computer Science (P-12)
AP Computer Science Principles
Experience
2011-Present: Osborne High School
In 2011, I began my teaching career at Osborne High School, and I quickly knew I had found my calling. I love sharing literature with high schoolers, hearing their insights, and watching their writing grow over the course of a semester. I have taught most English courses offered in Cobb County, but my perennial favorites are World Literature and Dramatic Writing for Film, Television, and Theater. These courses allow me to express my creativity in planning and instruction, and I have seen great results from my students in these courses.
As a teacher-leader, I have always enjoyed taking on challenges like facilitating collaborative teams, running events to showcase my students’ work, and organizing staff- and school-wide activities.
In 2023, I undertook the biggest project of my career so far: building a brand-new sports program from the ground up. As the assistant coach of Osborne’s new eSports program, I was tasked with everything from creating team branding, to handling finances, to interfacing with the eSports governing body, to connecting with coaches at other schools. Not to mention coaching the kids! Helping build this program has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, and I look forward to doing it again at a new school.
From 2011-2013, I coached Junior Varsity volleyball. Mentoring the girls was rewarding and exciting, and learning the fundamentals of coaching helped me become a better teacher.
PBIS is a research-based program that gives schools a framework for teaching students our behavioral expectations and correcting them when those expectations aren’t met. I joined the PBIS team at its inception at Osborne, and in 2019 I became the PBIS Team Leader. In 2020, I took on the additional role of PBIS Coach. While working with the PBIS team, I have created mini-lessons for school-wide implementation, coordinated staff PBIS events and activities, and worked with the county PBIS office to complete our school’s certifications.