About Me

ABOUT ME IN 10 MINUTES

I believe we totally miss the mark when we introduce ourselves by our profession. We’re dynamic human beings with a wide ray of talents, experiences and interests. I wasn’t born to fit in a box and neither were you. That’s why this page is where you can get a glimpse of the real me, beyond what I do professionally. I’m happy to talk about my work, but let’s start with something more personal.

Timeline for context

• Born: entered this world in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, daughter to Mom, little sister to Venus
• 1980: started Kindergarten at Wickersham Elementary
• 1981: welcomed my baby brother Lance and became a big sister
• 1981-1988: changed schools 9 times before the 7th grade
• 1992: played soccer on our high school’s first girl’s team, went undefeated
• 1993: joined the high school track team, threw javelin
• 1994: became the first in my family to graduate high school, spoke at graduation
• 1995: started college at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, majored in Psychology, then Elementary Education
• 2000: big year, student taught in Australia for 5 months, became first in my family to graduate college, moved from Pennsylvania to Colorado and started teaching
• 2004: moved back to Pennsylvania, this time to the Philadelphia area, continued to teach
• took up running, celebrated the Philadelphia Phillies winning the World Series
• 2009: returned to Colorado and enjoyed teaching elementary school for a few more years
• 2010: ran my first half marathon, hiked my first 14,000 foot mountain, started my Master’s in Educational Leadership
• 2011: learned to snowboard, went skydiving with my little brother in Hawaii, changed school districts, took on a new leadership role as Dean of School Culture
• 2012: earned my Master’s in Educational Leadership from University of Denver, became Assistant Principal one week after graduating
• 2013: ziplined in Puerto Rico, rock climbed in Panama, got into the best shape of my life, served in a High Needs Innovation School in Denver, CO
• 2014: visited Paris, traveled & volunteered in South Africa for a month, rode an ostrich, took up wildlife photography, started my own coaching business
• 2015: dog sat Louie Fisher, Eddie Fisher’s French bulldog
• 2016: spoke at Ignite, started The Confident Leader podcast, interviewed Libby Moore, Oprah’s Chief of Staff for 11 years
• 2017: launched an awareness campaign and raised over $6,000 to fight child trafficking, invited to visit UN Women’s Foundation in Singapore, month long advocacy journey to Singapore & Thailand
• 2018: celebrated the Philadelphia Eagles winning their first Superbowl
• 2019: presented Business for Good workshop at Mayor Hancock’s Sustainability Conference and Denver Startup Week, delivered numerous talks on child trafficking, ethical business and the UN Sustainability Goals, served on the Board of World Affairs Challenge
• 2020: finally moved to the mountains, earned my professional certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Colorado
• 2021: more solo adventures, visited Disneyland, went off-roading in Sedona and took my first hot air balloon ride in Gallup, New Mexico, spent almost three years serving schools in Navajo Nation working to build equitable and positive school cultures
• 2022: adopted my cat Remi, moved to Tennessee, got more involved with Mom’s Demand Action and ending gun violence
• 2023: opened an Etsy store, started writing a book, “I DON’T NEED YOUR HELP”

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More than anything, I want kids to be safe and loved, violence to stop, and people to be treated with dignity, compassion and love.

Growing up in a lower middle-class family, I watched my mom work tirelessly as a city bus driver to provide for my sister, brother, and me. Our journey wasn’t always easy, as divorce brought upheaval and frequent moves. But amidst the many moves, school became my safe haven, a place where I always felt a sense of belonging and a deep sense of pride in my achievements.

Moving around a lot meant I was fortunate to have friends from diverse backgrounds and upbringings, which taught me valuable lessons about the social fabric of our culture. Even as a young child, I had a profound understanding that the world isn’t always a safe place and fairness isn’t always guaranteed. As early as the fifth grade, I found myself dreaming of a world that was safer, better, kinder, and more just.

As a first-generation high school graduate, I knew that education would be my ticket to creating real change and working towards a more equitable world. Witnessing the opportunities education bestowed upon me, I pursued a career in education.

Until this day, I still believe, education is the greatest equalizer.

What I’m Up To Now

After spending almost two decades as a school educator, today I spend my time traveling around the country coaching schools and organizations on creating safe, positive and equitable cultures. I coach educators & school leaders, facilitate workshops and deliver trainings on trauma-informed practices, social-emotional wellness, restorative approaches, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) implementation. Equity has always been a top core value and I’m on a mission to create safe spaces where all people feel seen, safe, valued and heard.

In addition to my work as a consultant, I am actively involved in advocating for gun violence prevention through my volunteer work with MOM’S DEMAND ACTION. As an advocate and educator, the profound impact of gun violence on our children has made this work deeply personal to me. Witnessing the pervasive effects trauma has on children, families, and communities fuels my determination to bring about change. I’ve always been a vocal advocate for the changes I believe in, and I remain committed to my mission until every child can experience the freedom to play, the safety to attend school, the peace to worship, and the security to feel safe wherever they go.

I’M WRITING A BOOK

In line with my mission, I am currently writing a book titled “I Don’t Need Your Help.”

This book delves into the significance of asking for help as a fundamental skill for overcoming adversity. It highlights the essential role that asking for help plays in disarming hate and preventing violence, as well as its crucial contribution to building resilience. It explores how embracing vulnerability and seeking support can empower us all and contribute to a safer, more compassionate and connected world. I’m learning a lot as I research, write and hear people’s stories. I can’t wait to share it with you once it’s completed.

Check back here as I update this page often.

Last updated September 7, 2023