My unique experience includes time as a teacher, administrator, nonprofit director, supervisor of student teachers and founder. All experiences include a focus of empowering learners through their strengths.
Founder and Creative Conductor at SensAble Learning, LLC (2022-02 – Present)
Innovative educator transforming literacy Instruction and empowering learners through creativity
- Developed Souns® and Rhymes Family Literacy Class to enhance family literacy programs
- Crafted multiple creativity classes: Fabulous Fibonacci, Stop-Motion Animation, Creative Journaling and more
- Offers consulting on educational technology strategies for schools and districts
Special Education, IEP and 504 Coordinator at Omar D. Blair Charter School (2024-10 – Present)
Leadership and Vision in Special Education
- Integrated a strengths-based lens into student services, focusing on identifying and leveraging each student's abilities
- Led a team of special educators, providing mentorship and professional development
- Implemented and managed systems for compliance with IEP and 504 regulations, simultaneously driving innovation in special education practices to meet the evolving needs of students
Gifted Education Instructional Specialist -Teacher on Special Assignment (part time) at Boulder Valley School District (2021-09 – 2024-06)
Strategic planner leading innovation and transformation in Gifted Education
- Architected and implemented the 3-Year Comprehensive Gifted Education Program Plan, utilizing Objectives and Key Results (OKR) framework to align educational goals with measurable outcomes, enhancing program effectiveness.
- Initiated and led "Project Talent," a pioneering initiative within BVSD aimed at identifying and nurturing diverse talents among students, fostering an inclusive environment for gifted, advanced, and talented learners
- Delivered customized support to multiple schools, focusing on curriculum adaptation and professional development
Gifted Education Coordinator (part time) at Mt. Evans BOCES (2021-09 – 2022-07)
Gifted Coordinator for a rural community
- Spearheaded gifted education services in a rural district, adapting specialized programs and implementing Advanced Learning Plan portfolios
- Aligned all initiatives with the district's mission to "Inspire, Educate, and Empower," ensuring every program and project contributed to student development and community impact
- Developed and facilitated the Gifted Education Professional Learning Series, enhancing teacher capacity to identify and support gifted students, thereby improving educational outcomes
- Pioneered the creation of Learning Portfolios for Universal Consideration, a tool designed to holistically assess student strengths and progress, promoting inclusivity in gifted education
- Served as the Gifted Summer School Principal in 2019, overseeing the educational and operational aspects of the program, ensuring a high-quality learning experience for gifted students during the summer months
Gifted Education Coordinator at Adams County School District 14 (2018-08 – 2021-07)
Pioneer in portfolios for universal consideration in Gifted Education
- Aligned all initiatives with the district's mission to "Inspire, Educate, and Empower," ensuring every program and project contributed to student development and community impact
- Developed and facilitated the Gifted Education Professional Learning Series, enhancing teacher capacity to identify and support gifted students, thereby improving educational outcomes
- Pioneered the creation of Learning Portfolios for Universal Consideration, a tool designed to holistically assess student strengths and progress, promoting inclusivity in gifted education
- Served as the Gifted Summer School Principal in 2019, overseeing the educational and operational aspects of the program, ensuring a high-quality learning experience for gifted students during the summer months
Teacher on Special Assignment at School District 27J (2015-08 – 2018-07)
Data Intervention and Instructional Coach to Districtwide TOSA for the Identification of Underrepresented Populations
- Innovative Talent Pool Program Designer: Developed and implemented a technology-driven talent pool program, enhancing the identification and support of gifted education, significantly increasing program accessibility and effectiveness
- Gifted Identification Expansion: Successfully increased gifted student identification rates from 3.4% to 5.5%, with a particular emphasis on improving representation among culturally and linguistically diverse populations, promoting educational equity.
- Statewide Educational Leadership: Collaborated with and facilitated professional development for gifted education leaders both within the district and across the state, sharing best practices and fostering a community of practice for enhanced gifted education strategies
- Remote Professional Learning Designer: Collaborated with fellow instructional designers to create and deliver remote professional learning experiences, adapting educational content for online platforms to support teacher development
- Technology Integration Specialist: Played a key role in the successful implementation of a 1:1 device program in a middle school, enhancing digital literacy and personalized learning opportunities for students
- Innovative Professional Development Facilitator: Designed and delivered professional learning sessions focused on 21st Century Learning skills and effective strategies for 1:1 device implementation, equipping educators with tools for modern teaching environments
Educational Consultant, Instructional Designer, Technology Coordinator (temporary, part time, contract) at Amplify Education (2013-01 – 2015-07)
Digital Transformation Expert in 1:1 Device Implementation
- Remote Professional Learning Designer: Collaborated with fellow instructional designers to create and deliver remote professional learning experiences, adapting educational content for online platforms to support teacher development
- Technology Integration Specialist: Played a key role in the successful implementation of a 1:1 device program in a middle school, enhancing digital literacy and personalized learning opportunities for students
- Innovative Professional Development Facilitator: Designed and delivered professional learning sessions focused on 21st Century Learning skills and effective strategies for 1:1 device implementation, equipping educators with tools for modern teaching environments
Education Director (interim) at Apopka Family Learning Center (2012-08 – 2013-01)
Data-driven nonprofit innovator enhancing family learning programs
- Kids in Motion Program Coordinator: Oversaw the "Kids in Motion" program, enhancing physical education and promoting active lifestyles among students through structured activities and events
- Professional Development Facilitator for Volunteers: Delivered targeted professional learning experiences for AmeriCorps and Public Allies volunteers, enhancing their capacity to effectively engage with community members and support educational initiatives
- Grant Management and Acquisition: Managed reporting for existing grants and successfully authored new grant proposals, securing additional funding to support educational programs and initiatives
- Data-Driven Instruction Designer: Utilized assessment data to craft tailored, small-group differentiated activities, ensuring personalized learning experiences that address diverse student needs
- Student Teaching Mentor: Conducted routine visits to student teacher placement sites, providing comprehensive observation, assessment, and constructive feedback to enhance teaching skills and classroom management
- Collaborative Supervisor: Worked in tandem with cooperating teachers and student teachers to ensure a supportive and effective student teaching experience, fostering professional growth and successful classroom integration
Supervisor of Student Teachers at University of Phoenix and Grand Canyon University (2012-01 – 2012-12)
Helped shape tomorrow's educators
- Student Teaching Mentor: Conducted routine visits to student teacher placement sites, providing comprehensive observation, assessment, and constructive feedback to enhance teaching skills and classroom management
- Collaborative Supervisor: Worked in tandem with cooperating teachers and student teachers to ensure a supportive and effective student teaching experience, fostering professional growth and successful classroom integration
Stay-at-Home Mom at Motherhood (2006-12 – 2012-01)
Building futures, one day at a time
- Preschool Cooperative: Built relationships with other moms through a Mom's Club and started a preschool cooperative
- Project Management: Coordinated family schedules, managing household projects, and taught children to read
Teacher Leader at Westminster 50 (1998-08 – 2006-07)
Fifth Grade Teacher and Teacher of a 3/4/5 Gifted and Talented Classroom differentiation expert cultivating young minds
- Differentiated Instruction Expert: Tailored instructional methods to meet diverse student needs, ensuring all learners could access and engage with curriculum content effectively
- Instructional Compaction Specialist: Implemented curriculum compaction techniques, allowing advanced learners to accelerate their learning by skipping already mastered content, thereby deepening their educational experience
- Technology Integration Advocate: Supported and promoted the use of technology standards in classroom settings, enhancing digital literacy and preparing students for a tech-driven world
- Building Steering Committee Leader: Served as a teacher leader on the building Steering Committee, contributing to strategic planning and decision-making processes that impact school culture and operations
- Professional Development Facilitator: Designed and delivered professional development sessions, enhancing teacher skills and knowledge, thereby improving instructional quality across the school
- New Teacher Mentor (Retention Liaison): Appointed as the Retention Liaison, provided mentorship and support to new teachers, aiding in their professional development and retention within the district
- Data Coach: Guided teachers in effectively utilizing data from the data warehouse to inform instructional practices, improve student outcomes, and personalize learning experiences
