My Background

I'm a writer, educator, and outdoor enthusiast who believes learning should be as dynamic and meaningful as life itself. I design student-centered experiences that emphasize collaboration, critical thinking, and real-world application—especially in my classroom, where I get to witness students grow into confident, curious thinkers every day.

With a degree in Writing and Rhetoric and a background that spans technical writing, nonprofit grant work, and high school instruction, I bring a multidisciplinary lens to everything I do. I’m especially passionate about instructional design that honors student agency, centers equity, and fosters transferable skills like synthesis, storytelling, and argumentation. I believe classrooms can be jet engines—launchpads for curiosity, empathy, and purposeful work.

Experience

2023-Present

Samuel V. Champion High School

Teach AP Seminar and AP English Language & Composition, fostering a student-centered classroom rooted in critical thinking, advanced writing, and real-world application of research-based projects.
Design and facilitate rigorous, collaborative lessons that emphasize synthesis, discussion, and real-life relevance—encouraging students to explore complex ideas and articulate their perspectives with confidence.
Implement a “teaching for understanding” model, guiding students beyond content mastery toward the development of enduring skills in analysis, argumentation, and rhetorical awareness.
Previously taught English I Honors, cultivating a supportive and highly interactive environment where students built foundational writing skills and grew as confident, reflective learners.

Summer 2024

AP Reader - AP Seminar

Evaluated Individual Research Reports (IRRs) for the AP Seminar exam, scoring students’ work based on research depth, analytical rigor, and argumentative clarity.
Applied standardized College Board rubrics to ensure fair, consistent, and high-quality assessment across a national sample of student submissions.
Collaborated with fellow educators in calibration sessions and team discussions to maintain scoring reliability and support curricular alignment and improvement.

2018-2021

St. Edward's University

Focused on professional, technical, business, and scientific communication, developing a strong foundation in writing for diverse audiences and purposes.
Gained practical experience through coursework in rhetorical theory, editing, research methods, and advanced composition.
Applied classroom learning in real-world settings through internships in grant writing, technical documentation, and academic publishing.
Active in student life: Club Climbing Team, Club Rowing Team, Topper Radio, Campus Ministry, Sigma Tau Delta (International English Honor Society) and New Literati (a student-published creative magazine).

Summer 2024

Summer School EOC

Taught high school students preparing for the English I End-of-Course (EOC) exam, with a focus on literary analysis, reading comprehension, and academic writing.
Designed and delivered targeted instruction for rising 10th and 11th grade students in English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR), reinforcing foundational and advanced literacy skills to support continued academic success.
Provided individualized academic support to build student confidence, improve performance, and prepare learners for upper-level coursework and standardized assessments.

Honors and Awards

CHS Spotlight Teacher

Recognized as the Spotlight Teacher by students during the first quarter at Boerne Champion High School, reflecting a commitment to fostering an engaging and supportive learning environment.

TALE At-Large Board Member

Elected as a board member for the Texas Association of Literacy Educators, I advocated for enhanced literacy efforts in Texas classrooms. Collaborating with educators, I developed strategies that positively impacted literacy outcomes.

CHS CMS Program

Selected and presented for annual Center for Model Schools visit. Showcased classroom strategies that create student-centered thinking classrooms.

Boerne U Presenter

Led professional development workshops, notably: Children's Book Rhetoric, Poetry in the Classroom, and Building Thinking Classrooms.

TALE Presenter

Presented "Wild Things to Wild Thoughts: Utilizing Children's Books in 6-12 ELAR education" at regional conference.