I grew up in Katonah, New York, a small town 45 miles north of Manhattan, with my parents and older sister. Since I was very young, I’ve had a strong connection with the outdoors. Some of my fondest childhood memories stem from our annual family camping trips to the Berkshires, where crazy adventures and mishaps seemed inevitable. Today, I continue to enjoy camping, hiking, and climbing, and my love for natural places has given me the desire to protect them. I want to inspire children to appreciate nature, too, in hopes that one day they will want to care for it, as well.
I received my B.S. in 2002 from Tufts University, where I majored in biopsychology and minored in community health. I attended graduate school at Brown University and received my M.A.T. degree in elementary education in 2004. At Brown, I benefited from a class size of 9, three diverse student teaching placements, and wonderfully creative professors and mentors.
In 2005, I moved to Oregon, and fell in love with the beautiful scenery and endless outdoor opportunities. I was fortunate to have found Springwater School in 2006 when it was still a tiny seedling. It has been amazing to teach here since the first year and watch it grow. I’m proud to be a part of a wonderful community of teachers, students, parents, and administrators, and feel very lucky to teach at a school with a mission so close to my heart.
At Springwater, I’ve had the pleasure of developing many integrated science and social studies units that encourage students to observe, question, collaborate, and to make connections with their world. I believe that students learn best when they are active participants in (and out of) the classroom, and I strive to help each student find the tools they need to be successful.
