Biography

Prior to joining Menlo in 2017, I taught middle school science for five years in the United Arab Emirates at a fantastic private K-12 school, the American School of Dubai. Before my time in Dubai, I was a chemistry instructor for a nursing program in Pennsylvania, an AP Chemistry teacher (along with myriad other science courses) at a rural high school in Pennsylvania, the assistant director of the Tech Museum of Innovation summer camps in San Jose, and an elementary science specialist in the Cambrian School District. After teaching students from 2nd grade through university, I can confidently say middle schoolers are my absolute favorite!

During the summer, I work as a paleontology field assistant for Montana State University, helping graduate students learn how to prospect, identify fossils, and safely excavate dinosaurs (and other extinct creatures) from microsites in Makoshika State Park. When I’m not teaching or digging, I’m often geeking out over all things science, camping, practicing yoga, enthusiastically strumming my ukulele (but not skillfully), visiting National Parks, solving crossword puzzles, reading mystery, fantasy, and sci-fi novels, and watching Star Trek—though not usually all at the same time. I also love spending time with my amazing and delightful daughter and my sweet orange kitty, Lilly.