Middle School Matters

I have taught at the middle school level since 2003. Our class is structured as a two period block of English and US history. I also have experience teaching World History. For the past three years, I have been a district leader in social studies curriculum development and coaching.

More than anything, I love my students. I want them to be engaged, energetic, and happy. I believe student learning is directly connected to engagement and the overall feeling of a classroom. I try to incorporate many different teaching styles and techniques in my class. I especially like to give my students creative ways to illustrate their understanding of concepts. I also focus on differentiation as much as possible. This often includes scaffolding, alternate assignments, project menus, and student choice.

-County Teacher of the Year, 2020-2021 -District Secondary Teacher of the Year, 2020-2021 -Excellence in Education award from district's education association in the area of "Inspirational Teaching". -Rotary award for outstanding teacher of the year.

Teaching runs in my family. My aunt and uncle retired from teaching after being in the profession for over 40 years. My great grandmother was a schoolteacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Oklahoma in the early 1900s.

Since I attended the University of Oregon, I continue to be a HUGE Oregon Ducks fan. This fandom is very obvious when you come in my classroom. GO DUCKS!