I grew up in Mountainhome, a small town in Pennsylvania tucked between resorts and game land waterfalls. From a young age, I was introduced to the outdoors and skiing through the influence of my Grandmother and a curiosity for science through my uncle. These activities and interests slowly became passions and, eventually, a large piece of my identity. Halfway through my chemical engineering degree, I took a gap year to build skills beyond what can be learned in a classroom. I actively sought out diverse experiences as a camp counselor, archery instructor, ski coach, high ropes guide, and team building facilitator. My time as a ski instructor was profoundly impactful, and would eventually shape my style and effectiveness as a classroom teacher. Not only did I fall in love with how ski instructing accelerated my personal skills, but I found a passion for sharing in the successes a beginner experiences on their journey to achieve their goals and push beyond what they thought was possible. The following year I enrolled in a university closer to ski resorts in a chemistry education program to pursue my life’s path in teaching.

After graduation, I began teaching chemistry, and really applying my diverse coaching and facilitating experiences to the classroom. I started in Passaic, New Jersey at a public preparatory academy. My administrators and colleagues supported my personal growth, bringing my pedagogy to new heights, and my students were truly inspiring. On the tail end of the pandemic, I made the leap to find my new home in Vermont to return to the forests that first inspired me! I taught a year at Burr and Burton Academy, and I was presented with an opportunity to really unlock my next steps in student-centered engagement and curricular development! I suffered a severe case of Lyme Disease, and took a step back from teaching through my recovery. Feeling fully myself again, I am thrilled to be embarking on my new chapter at OV. I value all of my diverse experiences and lessons from the outdoors to Passaic and back outside again. I am extremely excited to be a part of the Moose program to engage learners in some of the most authentic learning environments I have experienced, and share the skills of observation, scientific prediction, self-efficacy, and stewardship with those who will carry that torch! Whether you have come to my page for chemistry help, ski coaching, an introduction to whitewater kayaking, or just to gain or share some new perspective, know that I take my role very seriously to provide the best support I can.