Biography

I grew up in both New England and Southwestern US with cultural roots from Cuba and Puerto Rico. My upbringing, education, and amazing opportunities in life have cultivated a passionate love of learning, travel, nature, social justice, music, food, and family. I hold a BFA in Theatre Studies from Boston University and an MA in Education from Chapman University. 

Throughout my 29-year career in education, I have made inquiry-based learning, culturally responsive teaching, interdisciplinary approaches, restorative practices, equity, inclusion, and world citizenship the pillars of my leadership in education. As a teacher, in the US, Guatemala, and China, I used the transformative learning approaches of collaboration, project-based learning, and formative assessments to engage every student in critical thinking, civic engagement, service learning, and world citizenship, and to guide them to achieve high academic standards. 

Those experiences proved equally beneficial when I transitioned to administration. I have been fortunate to serve as a Head of School for a PS-12 international school in Guangzhou, China, a Dean of Academic and Student Services for a community college in Oakland, and a Principal for a New Tech high school in Silicon Valley. In each of these positions, my leadership was based on a culture of inclusion, positivity, equity, justice, diversity, and belonging.

My wife is from China, and is a Mandarin teacher. We have two boys ages 12 and 14. I am also a musician, astronomer, chef, nature lover, and sports fan.

I am so delighted to join the Menlo community and to collaborate in fostering and nurturing a love of learning, connection, and altruism.