Fun Facts

I have an eclectic wardrobe. I ride an electric longboard to work. I have worked as a professional Dungeons & Dragons game master.

Did you know that Western science was largely unaware of bird migration until the 19th century, and only made the discovery because of a single curious child in Germany? Or that for every insect known to humanity, there is at least one parasitic wasp that preys upon it?

About Me

I am a highly experienced educator with proven results. I prioritize critical thinking, interdisciplinary studies, skill transferability, and social justice in my instruction whenever I can. I also stay current on the latest learning tools as well as more tried-and-true traditional techniques.

In college, I won the prize for best senior thesis in anthropology for my year, and my thesis remained the #1 most downloaded thesis from the college's digital repository for several years. It has been cited in at least one PhD dissertation.

Experience

I have taught students of all grade levels, from early childhood learners to undergraduate seniors. I have taught a variety of learning needs and ability levels, including students with physical disabilities like visual and motor impairment; students with Down syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities; and talented & gifted students (with and without IEPs). My students have also come from a wide range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Approach

I try to establish rapport early and tailor my approach to the individual student as much as I can. While I am aware of the common approaches and best practices in teaching, I also know that every learner is different. I can be a coach, a cheerleader, a drill sergeant, a "cool" teacher, a sympathetic ear, a learning partner -- whatever the student needs to accomplish their learning goals and develop healthily.