I’m an art educator who believes in the critical power of creativity. Whether you're a budding artist or someone who thinks you "can't even draw a stick figure," I’m here to guide you in discovering your inner creator. To me, art is more than just paint and brushes; it's a way of thinking, a tool for problem-solving, social interaction, and personal growth.
My teaching philosophy is simple: everyone has the potential to be creative. My goal is to help students unlock that potential, whether they're passionate about art or simply looking to tap into their creativity in new ways. To read more about my teaching philosophy, click here.
MY STORY
I did not originally set out to become an art teacher. I started out focused on photography, and for a while that was the path I saw for myself. Everything shifted when I began working with students in a summer program. I found myself just as interested in helping students create as I was in making my own work. Watching them figure things out, gain confidence, and take pride in what they made was what really stuck with me.
That experience pushed me to take teaching seriously. I went on to complete my student teaching in both elementary and secondary settings, which gave me a full picture of how students grow over time. Since then, I have worked as a substitute and leave replacement teacher at the high school level, teaching foundation art and darkroom photography and developing lessons that focus on both technical skill and creative thinking.
My efforts at the Ocean Beach Youth Group was recognized with the Ralph Scordino Memorial Scholarship Award in the summer of 2024
Over time, I have realized that the kind of classroom I want to run is one where students are learning real skills but also feel like their ideas matter. I try to create an environment that is structured and clear, but still gives students room to experiment, take risks, and make something that feels like their own.
At the same time, I have continued building and leading a film and photography program in a summer setting. That experience pushed me to develop curriculum from the ground up and work with a wide range of students, which has had a direct impact on how I teach in the classroom.
I still actively create my own work in photography, drawing, and mixed media. That part has never gone away. It keeps me connected to the process and reminds me what I am asking of my students every day.
