Seattle Public Schools

What brought you to Nova?
The opportunity to focus teaching and learning on social justice and student interests.

How would you describe your teaching style?
Collaborative, structured, energetic.

Why do you teach? and/or What do you hope to influence?
Health, PE, Language Arts, and other stuff; wellness for all.

What’s your favorite thing about Nova?
Individuality is centered and encouraged.

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!

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.

Originally from a small country in south of South America by the Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay. Born and raised from a Brazilian mother and a Uruguayan father. Grew up as an only child in a bilingual family. Attended an only girls’ school for PreK-12th grade. Graduated from college in 2008 with Regular Education and Special Education Degrees.

Favorite Book: Little Prince.

Favorite Author: Paulo Coelho from Brazil.

Favorite things do: travel and get to know people and cultures.

Favorite Places in the world: Paris and Montevideo.

Favorite Food: French Onion Soup and Uruguayan Empanadas.

Dreams: to live in Paris, and to spend a summer in Uruguay doing my favorite activity as a child, enjoying the sun, the ocean and walking on the warm sand.

Favorite Activities at school: Reading and Gardening.

I am originally from Cuba. I speak Spanish and English. I am a mother, a wife, and a pet owner. I have been an educator since 1993.

Hello James Baldwin Community [COME-UNITY],
Welcome to Kindergarten!

I have been an educator since 1993. I began my teaching career in Cuba prior to coming to the USA in 2002. There, I taught students from Pre-Kindergarten-6th grade.

I started teaching in Seattle Public Schools in 2003, and came to James Baldwin Elementary in the Fall of 2014. My experience as an educator working with Seattle Public Schools have covered Kindergarten- 5th grade.

As an educator, I integrate extra curricular activities and skills with the core content subject areas to ensure learning is relevant and meaningful for our diverse group of learners. Furthermore, I believe in meeting students where they are at and help them move along while keeping them learning, engaged, and having fun.

In addition to teaching, I am a wife, a mother, a pet owner, and a lover of arts such as music, dancing, and crafts.

Let’s work together to have a wonderful school year!

Thank you/ Gracias!

I am originally from Laos. I can speak Lao, and Thai, in addition to English. I am a wife and a mother of twin boys.

Welcome to 2nd grade at James Baldwin Elementary School. I am really excited to get the school year started and on its way! I hope to make it a truly successful experience for your child. It is my priority that your child leaves school each day feeling positive and excited for another day of learning.

I started teaching in Seattle Public Schools in 1998 and came to the Northgate/James Baldwin community in the fall of 2017. I love the diverse students and staff at James Baldwin Elementary. I have taught 1st through 5th as well as split grades.

When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my family, I enjoy traveling, learning new languages, and experiencing new cultures.