LEAD Public Schools

• What drew you to education?
  

  I had volunteered at a preschool for exceptional students in high school and college. I enjoyed working with the students and supporting their growth. It was amazing to see the pride and joy on their faces when they mastered a new skill. I was hooked from there and have been working in education ever since I graduated from college.

• What drew you to LEAD Public Schools, specifically? 

I was impressed with the culture of the school and wanted to be a part of a school that held high expectations and also was focused on student growth and success.

• What are your hopes for this school year (for your students and for yourself)? 

I hope to continue to be an important part of a team of educators that values the impact that they have on students and embraces the urgency to get them prepared for high school and beyond. 

As for the students, my hope every year is that they increase their confidence, continue to build their academic independence, and make significant progress with their reading and writing skills.

• Anything else you’d like to share about yourself? 

I have been lucky enough to have taught and been an educational leader in Virginia, Abu Dhabi UAE, and Shenzhen, China. 

I appreciate those experiences and how they provided me with more of a global perspective of education. It has been a privilege to be an educator for the past 23 years, and I am looking forward to continuing to grow and learn with LSEM.

• What drew you to education?

I was drawn to education from a desire to support future generations.

• What drew you to LEAD Public Schools, specifically? 

I found that I connected with the mission and values of LEAD. I believe in providing a platform for students to pursue their goals regardless of their background. Especially in public education, we must not undermine the potential of individuals by perpetuating the soft bigotry of low expectations.

• What are your hopes for this school year (for your students and for yourself)? 

I aim to enhance students’ decision-making skills by equipping them with statistical tools, enabling them to leverage data-driven insights in their pursuit of optimal outcomes. I hope to consistently provide the highest standard of instruction while also developing a personal relationship with the great students we have here at LEAD Southeast.

• Anything else you’d like to share about yourself? 

I am a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux.

• What drew you to education?

The importance of having a quality education was instilled in me from an early age from my parents and grandparents. I always knew that I wanted to be in a career field that allowed me to serve others. Originally I was an engineering major in that I loved mathematics and science.  In my sophomore year at The University of Memphis, I transitioned into the school of education. During that time, I had the opportunity to work with students at Shadowlawn Middle School for TCAP Prep. I enjoyed working with students on their mathematics skills and watching them light up with joy when they gained more of an understanding. I choose the field of education each day because I want to instill within students a love for math through problem solving. Although math is often about getting to the correct answer, math is also about being able to persist.

• What drew you to LEAD Public Schools, specifically?

I knew that LEAD Public schools was the place for me after getting to see the culture at LEAD Southeast. It is truly a place where every individual belongs in the pack. Although I am new to LEAD, I have felt nothing but warm welcomes and support. In the world of education where often people are pushed to figure it out on their own, at LEAD it is a collaborative effort.

• What are your hopes for this school year (for your students and for yourself)? 

This school year my hopes are that all students develop a love for mathematics through problem solving and a culture of error. The knowledge that is gained in mathematics is transferable. It is okay to make mistakes, the goal is not perfection but reflection and action. My hopes are that this school year my actions support the needs of all learners and that all students receive high quality mathematics instruction.

• What drew you to education?

I have always had a desire to make a difference in the lives of children, whether in a small way or a big way. As an immigrant, my parents have always pushed the idea that knowledge is power, education has the power to transform lives. I went to school in pursuit of an Early Childhood degree, but once I graduated and started teaching at an elementary school, I realized I wanted to have a broader reach to impact the lives of more children. From elementary school to middle and now at a high school, I believe ALL students deserve the best quality education. Regardless of their socio-economic background, race, or gender. I have the power to impact knowledge to a wide range of children within a school building. This is my passion, my WHY, if not me, then who?

• What drew you to LEAD Public Schools, specifically?

The adults at LEAD understand that relationships drive excellence. I have seen videos of the Senior Signing Day and it brought tears to my eyes. It’s beautiful to see students go from middle to high school in the same network, with all adults working towards the same goal of preparing students for LIFE – not just college preparedness in this generation of innovation, but preparing students to leave high school knowing exactly what they want to do once they graduate. Pushing them to think outside the “now,” and understanding the array of opportunities in the real world. Education matters here, building relationships through daily Crew matters here, Building a brighter and better future for students matter here.

• What are your hopes for this school year (for your students and for yourself)?

Students: As we begin a new school year, I want to first learn more about our students. Their names, hobbies, learning styles, and anything I can do to help them achieve their goals this school year. I hope to help promote a positive and fun learning environment in each classroom.

Myself: I hope to help drive data in a positive direction at LAHS. We have a large number of English language learner students that have been working so hard to meet their ACCESS/ELPA21 goals and test out of the English learner program. I hope to help them achieve that goal this year as we double our pass rate compared to last year’s data.

• What drew you to education? 

I always knew that I wanted to work with children to make an impact on their lives. Education was the best fit for my personality. 

• I know you left LEAD and decided to come back – what drew you back to LEAD?

The culture at LEAD is unmatched. LEAD truly values teachers and students as people first which makes LSE feel less like a school and more like a family. Teachers and staff support one another on another level at LEAD. Students feel loved and supported by any staff member they come into contact with daily. 

When I was previously at LSE, I made the most growth as a teacher and I continue to improve even now. The way LEAD provides instructional managers and support in improving my craft as a teacher has made the biggest difference in my ability to push students to the next level and help them achieve their goals. That’s what teaching is all about. 

Coming back to LEAD Southeast felt like coming home. 

• What are your hopes for this school year (for your students and for yourself)?

Obviously, I’d love to make immense growth in my grade-level content on TCAP and throughout the year. More importantly, I want to make connections with my students and make them feel loved every day by holding them to high expectations and showing them I believe in them. At the most basic level, I hope I can help students learn to love themselves and show kindness to others. 

• Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

I was most recently teaching at a public elementary school before coming back to LEAD. I have a 3-year-old daughter and while there I was unable to have a work-life balance to spend the time with my family. LEAD makes sure their employees are able to strike that balance and I’m looking forward to spending more time with my daughter this school year!

• What drew you to education?

Honestly, I’ve denied this calling to education for as long as I can remember. Throughout high school and college I was always told that I would make a great teacher or educator. I’m at a transition point in my life and I figured I owed it to myself and anyone else who’s poured into me to give it a shot. 

• What drew you to LEAD Public Schools, specifically?

I graduated from LEAD Academy Middle School in 2015, and I am in the LEAD Academy High School Alumni class of 2019. I began coaching for my Alma Mater in 2020. It’s safe to say that LEAD is my second home, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

• What are your hopes for this school year (for your students and for yourself)?

My hope for this school year is to be a walking, talking example of what is possible after you leave Lead Academy High School. Through coaching and being support staff in the building, my goal is to instill in them a sense of accountability, forward thinking, and self awareness.

• Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

This will also be my fourth year as the volleyball and cheerleading coach.