Seattle Public Schools

Pronouns: she/her

I am devoted to conservation of our natural ecosystems. I realize that it’s a big topic and some folks feel hopeless to change our trajectory. If we can all commit to mini-behavior changes, we can make a huge difference. Shave a few minutes off your shower, buy less new products, reduce your animal product consumption by one meal a day or one a week if that is doable. When one change becomes a habit, start another. Talk to your friends, convince them to start.

What brought you to Nova?
Born out of alternative education, I hold high the knowledge that learners are unique and so should be their education. As soon as I walked in to Nova, it felt like home. Some things I love about Nova are the individualized attention that I get with students, that students are involved in decision making, and the ability to teach towards my passion.

How would you describe your teaching style?
When I asked the students in my room at lunch today, the responses were “Motherly”, “Doesn’t give up” and “Persistent”.

Why do you teach? and/or What do you hope to influence?
Helping people make connections and find what is important and meaningful to them is very important to me. This should be at the root of all teaching.

What’s your favorite thing about Nova?
The students.

Education:
California State University, Northridge: BA Environmental Biology
Miami University and The Woodland Park Zoo: MA in Education, Advanced Inquiry Program
South Seattle College: Career and Tech Ed, in progress.

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.