About Me

The Full Story

I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to build a career by doing what I love. From a young age I knew that I wanted to work in the field of education supporting learners and helping them to succeed. I am currently an K-5 instructional coach in Edwardsville Illinois and have the opportunity to use my love of teaching to help empower other educators in the classroom.

I am a 2016 graduate from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where I received a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education. Since graduating, I have worked in elementary education as a teacher for six years and an instructional coach for two years. As an instructional coach, I collaborate with educators in the field to understand an reflect upon student data and implement instructional strategies with the goal to improve student achievement and engagement in the classrooms. I provide teachers with one-on-one support as well as professional development learning opportunities throughout the school year.

I am currently enrolled at American College of Education working to obtain a M.Ed. in the field of Instructional Design and Technology. It is my goal to be incorporate the skills I learn in course design and apply them to my instructional coaching as learning opportunities for other teachers. Through this program I have obtained skills in creating, developing, and implementing online course for both elementary students and educators.

I love to stay active. I am a former college and professional athlete and currently work as an assistant volleyball coach at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The skills I have learned from working with college athletes coincides with my work as a coach in the school setting.

My Education

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
2012-2016
Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education

American College of Education

2023

Master's of Education in Instructional Design and Technology

Educational Work Experience

St. Paul Catholic School

My first job in education was at St. Paul Catholic School in Highland, IL. In my three years here, I worked as a kindergarten teacher, first grade teacher, and fifth grade teacher. I was able to grow as an educator learning skills and teaching strategies to accommodate learners of various age levels and skills.

Edwardsville CUSD7

For the past four years, I have worked in the Edwardsville School District as a first grade teacher, second grade teacher, and an instructional coach. I have helped write a social studies curriculum aligning to state standards focused on inquiry based learning, lead professional developments for educators, helped implement the beginning phases of professional learning communities (PLC) focusing on data driven instruction and decision making in the classroom, and worked with teachers to implement instructional strategies to empower students and boost student engagement. Recently, my district implemented various instructional technologies (Promethean Boards, Schoology, and PowerSchool) within the schools. I have been a member of the instructional technology team to help roll out these new initiatives in the classrooms and provide teachers with the trainings and resources needed to be successful using these.

My Hobbies

Volleyball

I have played volleyball for as long as I can remember! I had the opportunity to play in college and play professionally in Germany upon graduation. After graduating, I wanted to give back to those in my community and began working as a middle school and high school volleyball coach for four years. Three years ago, one of my former coaches from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville reached out and asked me to join the coaching staff there. I love having the opportunity to give back to a program that had such a meaningful impact on my life. Now, when I am not coaching collegiately, most people can find me still in the gym giving lessons, or still playing competitively.

Traveling

I have a love of traveling an experiencing other countries and their cultures. This travel bug reached it's height when I lived overseas for a year. I would often travel to various countries on the weekends collecting experiences and a deeper appreciation of various cultures an ways of living. So far I have been to 15 different countries and have plans continue to grow that list. One of my favorite countries to visit is Switzerland because of the astonishing mountains and the way of life there.

Crafting

I love to craft! I will search Pinterest for hours to gather inspiration for my next craft idea. I have dabbled in just about anything that has to do with crafts and have devoted a spare room in my house to my craft addiction.