I am an experienced public school math teacher. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics/Black History and a Master’s Degree in special education. I relocated to Seattle from New York City in 2016.
I have experienced, first-hand, how the power of education can break the cycle of poverty.
After two decades of a career in banking, real estate and title insurance, I returned to university to fulfill my desire to become a mathematics teacher. I will teach my students to learn how to learn.
I work with students in classes like "Life on Earth", "Environmental Justice", and "Earthology", as well as committees like "Planet Nova", to explore how the Earth lives and how best to work for justice.
What brought you to Nova?
A small, personalized, democratically-run, justice-focused learning community committed to the growth and success of all students in which I could work collaboratively with both staff and students -- how could I resist?
How would you describe your teaching style?
My courses start with big, relevant questions that drive our shared inquiry both within and outside the classroom. I work to center students in their own learning process while de-centering dominant narratives of race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and other power inequalities. Students demonstrate their learning through multiple possible pathways, including projects, writing, classroom discussions, and other performance-based assessment. And I try to make sure our learning experience is engaging, meaningful, and compelling -- there's so much for us all to learn and do!
Why do you teach? And/or what do you hope to influence?
Our world is dominated by unjust systems of power and exploitation that must be confronted, deconstructed, and replaced -- if not, people and communities will continue to face violence and oppression while our society fails to live up to its potential. As a teacher, I have the opportunity to participate in the process of helping to create a more equitable, just, and life-affirming world.
What’s your favorite thing about Nova?
At Nova, I actually can work with students and adults to change how we teach and learn, and how we can live in this world. We share a commitment to justice that pushes and supports my own work while providing our students with an unparalleled education. We aren't perfect, but we always demand to do better. I love Nova!
What brought you to Nova?
I was a Nova student in the 90’s and thought an animation department at Nova would be so wonderful. I got my Animation degree at CalArts, and came back home to create films and begin a program here in 2001.
How would you describe your teaching style?
Collaborative. My ideas for a class grow from the students and their evolving needs. I have a menu of fun exercises I offer, and many of my offerings were born from a Novian asking me “Can we do this kind of project next?”
Why do you teach?
Creating animation gives me bliss. Making animation with a community of people amplifies that bliss. At Nova I get to see patience grow in artists, and some of my favorite artists are getting their starts here in our program.
And/or what do you hope to influence?
I hope to give people at Nova a chance for peaceful self-care through the simple creation of life on a page. I live for the moment when I witness someone seeing their markings coming to life on the big screen. Our end-year showcases at Northwest Film Forum are a wild ride, and are not to be missed! We archive them here on Vimeo, check them out!!
How would you describe your teaching style?
Compassionate, radical when needed, traditional when needed.
Why do you teach? and/or What do you hope to influence?
Love. Hope. I hope to empower all people to feel confident about their reading, writing, and communicating abilities.
What's your favorite thing about Nova?
Culture of Kindness
I have worked in Seattle Public Schools in various roles since 2001. I have taught Kindergarten since 2012 and been at Northgate/James Baldwin since 2015.
I came to this school because I love the community, the families and the rewarding challenge of teaching a group of students that all bring their strengths, perspectives and diversity to the classroom. I love Kindergarten because of the energy this age brings to the class--they believe they can do anything, and I help them channel it so they do!
I started my teaching career in 2000. I taught middle school math for the first 17 years. I switched to 5th grade in 2017 at Northgate/James Baldwin Elementary. This will be my 7th years teaching 5th grade, 2023. I am a mom of two teens. I loved being at James Baldwin for the following reasons: It’s feel like a family, it’s very diverse, all the staff care about our students, and we celebrate our differences.
