Middle School Faculty/Staff

I am delighted to be a part of the Headwaters Family as a Social Studies Guide! After earning a B.A. in History and Sociology from St. Mary's University, I started my teaching career in Jacksonville, Florida. After spending two years there, I returned to San Antonio, Texas and continued my career as a middle school social studies teacher. I left the classroom for a few years to work as an Assessment Developer for ETS after I finished my graduate degree in Instructional Design. I am passionate about history and working with kids to help them see the connections between the past and the present.

I earned my B.S. at the University of Kansas in Middle/Secondary Social Studies education. After several years as a High School History teacher and soccer coach in Evanston, Illinois I decided to take the advice I'd been giving my students to pursue their dreams with gusto and headed on down to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue an MFA in screenwriting and enjoy a far more favorable climate. After years of working as a director of educational videos, a teacher and tutor across a wide range of subjects and ages, and a free-lance writer, I found my way back to classroom teaching as a direct result of discovering the Headwaters learning environment. The focus on authentic self expression and deep engagement with educational content creates an atmosphere in alignment with my preferred styles of teaching and learning. In addition, as a Middle School guide, I am fortunate to work with my target audience of young people. In general, this age group has the incredible ability to engage with complex ideas, an openness to and capacity for deepening emotional intelligence and immense curiosity about the world and how they fit into it. Exploring topics with them from history, to screenwriting, to conscious movement practices and beyond is a delight for me.

After earning my BS in Sport Management from Georgia Southern University, I decided to pursue a masters degree in education on the advice of my dad. Unbeknownst to me, I would quickly fall in love with teaching and influencing the lives and minds of younger generations. Since then, I have earned a MA in Teaching Middle Grades Education from Armstrong Atlantic State University and another MA in Teaching Mathematics Education from Western Governors University.

For the last decade, I have taught various middle and high school level math classes and coached numerous sports at schools in Georgia, Florida, and Texas. I am very excited to be joining Headwaters and guiding students as they build their mathematical understanding. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, running, biking, and any other outdoor activities as well as taking advantage of the amazing restaurants around Austin!

When our family moved to Austin in 2013, we were thrilled with the energy and environment of the city, but not so thrilled with some of the school options for our son. I’m so grateful we discovered Headwaters and we’ve never looked back. With such a nurturing, creative, and strong educational foundation, we all feel it’s the best fit for our family. When I saw this job opening highlighting skills in data management, I jumped at the chance. After attending college at the University of Colorado for music, I returned to Texas and found myself on a career path that included spreadsheets and data, go figure. But I actually enjoy it! And now I get to use my skills for this wonderful school I truly believe in, which is all I could ask for in a job. When I’m not working, I enjoy hiking and rowing on Town Lake with the Austin Rowing Club.

I grew up in the Boston area and earned a BA in Mathematics from University of Rochester. I’ve always loved math. Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by math challenges and puzzles like the Rubik’s Cube. Before moving to Austin, I taught math for five years at a private day and boarding school in South Florida. I love sharing my passion for math with students and immersing myself in school clubs, such as ping pong, board games and more. I’m excited to join Headwaters to continue inspiring and supporting students in their mathematical journey. In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor activities like running, riding my bicycle, taking my small dog, Henry, to the park and playing sports, particularly tennis.

I started elementary school in Austin, but after the 3rd grade, my formative years were split between small-town Louisiana and big-city Paris, France. I have been a student of the arts for as far back as I can remember, recognizing that visual arts can express complexities beyond what I can share with language. I earned the French Baccalauréat in Arts and Letters as a high school graduate, a Bachelors of Fine Arts from UT Austin and I studied ceramics, calligraphy and indigo dyeing while teaching English as a Second Language in Japan for 5 years. I have found that I love teaching just as much as creating, going back to school while working with teens in transition from foster care for a Masters in Education, with a focus on secondary arts, from Texas State. For the past 7 years, I have taught Art, Graphic Design, AP Art History and IBDP Visual Arts at the middle and high school levels. I prefer the IB way, because it is centered around individual student interests and helps forge connections to others, and I cannot wait to meet each and every one of you! My formal training includes film photography, printing, metalsmithing, fiber arts, ceramics....I have discovered that having learned a bit of everything enables me to have plenty of know-how to help all kinds of projects see the light of day. As an artist I have shown locally, and in New Orleans, New York, Tokyo and Osaka, although the past 7 years I have been more focused on being my son Orion's early childhood side-kick. Additionally, I have worked as an intern and an assistant to a green design and architectural non-profit, a ceramist and a jeweler, and working in the design and art production-line world with masters of their craft has helped me develop a fascination with beautiful forms that are also useful, well-made and give a sense of rhythm to their creator during fabrication. Photography and Digital Art/ Design have no need to stay on the page or screen, we can and we will also make worlds come alive in 3-dimensions, maybe even 4. When I am not thinking about the arts, you can find me exploring nature with friends and family or reading novels.

I have worn many different hats during my adult life—mountain climber, painter, potter, writer, reader, yoga instructor, wellness coach, English teacher—the common thread is sharing my love of learning by teaching others. My family headed to Indonesia for what we thought would be three years, but just returned after 16 years. Besides Indonesia, we called Thailand, Scotland, Saudi Arabia and Qatar home. But our roots in Texas have landed us in Austin and I am thrilled to be joining Headwaters. I have taught everything from Kindergarten to 8th grade, but Middle Schoolers hold my heart. 

Bio to come!