My Story

I was one of those kids who would rather go to the bookstore than a party. Parties were fun but predictable. Books were filled with a new world. I loved books so much I wrote my own novels from the age of 9 mimicking the styles of my favorite author until I developed my own.  My love of books started early with my mom embracing my love of literature and filling the house with books. As I reflect, I'm not surprised I am still an avid reader obsessed with literature. 

Being truly passionate about my subject area has helped my trajectory in education. Many of my students have expressed how their love of reading has grown through their experience in my class. Literature helps us all make sense of the world and connect to characters or historical figures we will never meet. 

In college, I studied writing techniques and journalism. Learning how to present facts and do thorough research was a huge part of my collegiate studies. I eventually landed an internship at Vibe magazine which was a dream come true. I still remember the very first Vibe magazine I bought in the 8th grade and how I read it cover to cover. Not only did I enjoy the process of working for a magazine, but I also got to interview some celebrities including my favorite actress. To me, interviewing famous people was all about developing the right angle and the right "story" that portrays them accurately but engages the audience. Looking back on that experience, I also see how I was always fascinated with the concept of creating a story step by step which also assists me in how I develop content and digital services for clients now. 

​

I acquired freelance writing opportunities after graduating college and also became a Project Manager for a music manufacturing company that specialized in servicing independent artists. However, following the company's downsize, I relocated to Philadelphia. The move launched my trajectory into education which I had always known in the back of my mind would be one of my career paths. The summer I moved, I was selected for an AmeriCorps position as an English Teacher in an alternative school. From that experience, I learned that I could impact student outcomes and enrolled to earn my teaching certification and Master of Secondary Education Degree. My journey with middle school began when I was hired as a teaching assistant at a project-based learning  school the same summer I started my certification program.

Once I acquired enough experience and my teaching certification, I was hired at another charter school which focused on fostering positive racial identity in students. My next journey allowed me to become a founding teacher of a middle school as ELA teacher. There, I helped develop the foundation of our ELA department for nine years.  My school leadership trajectory has been supported by experiences such as serving as: 7th and 8th grade team lead, Saturday and Summer Academy facilitator, Saturday Academy Leader, Teacher Mentor, Teacher Leader, and interim Assistant Principal of Instruction (2 years/middle school level), instructional coach, and Assistant Principal of Instruction (high school). 

​

​