A bit about me...
I believe you must bring your whole self to the table if you want to thrive in today’s crazy world; your personality, your sense of humor, and most importantly, your heart. All of these elements brought me to Cascades Academy.
I am a dedicated and passionate educator who brings my love for the outdoors and adventure into the classroom. I am devoted to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment, and recognize the importance of meeting the unique needs of diverse learners and ensuring that all students have equal access to educational opportunities.
My educational background includes a B.S. in Health Education with a focus on community development and reproductive health care from San Francisco State University. I initially practiced health education in San Francisco, working as a health educator in free medical clinics, schools, and after-school programs.
I moved to North Lake Tahoe in 2011 and fell in love with the mountain lifestyle and community. In 2014, I pursued my passion for teaching by attending Sierra Nevada College for graduate school, where I earned a Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in math education for middle school. I taught middle school math and science at Creekside Charter School and fifth grade at Tahoe Expedition Academy. I also spent a year and a half developing mathematics curriculum and coaching math teachers with Carnegie Learning.
In my teaching approach, I prioritize a fun, interactive, and constructivist methodology that empowers students to take charge of their learning and thrive. I cherish the unique approaches to education offered by small independent schools and am deeply devoted to fostering community stewardship, critical thinking, independence, and a genuine love of learning. I focus on teaching students how to apply what they learn and enabling them to become active, engaged, and successful global citizens. Embracing my love for adventure, I aim to instill curiosity and a pursuit of personal passions in all my students, fostering an enriching educational experience that extends far beyond the classroom.
When I'm not teaching, you can often find me backpacking, skiing, cooking, and exploring in the woods with my golden retriever, Bear McConkey. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to work with such impassioned, fervent, energetic individuals. The teachers and students at this school are what make coming to work fun, exciting, challenging, and unbelievably rewarding!