It’s difficult to summarize almost 50 years of teaching and learning into a “short bio.” Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching students of all ages in a wide variety of settings. Some highlights include teaching special education classes—ranging from gifted students to those with diverse learning needs—in both elementary and middle schools; teaching pre-first and first grade; and facilitating high school psychology courses including General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and AP Psychology. I’ve also taught college-level courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
In addition, I served as an elementary principal (Head of Lower School) for 19 years. I’ve had the unique opportunity to teach abroad in England and Costa Rica, and I facilitated student leadership conferences in Boston for the National Association of Independent Schools.
One of the most rewarding experiences of my career was co-designing an elementary science enrichment program in partnership with our city schools and the independent school where I worked. For this program, I received a Christa McAuliffe Fellowship for the State of Pennsylvania from the U.S. Department of Education ($22,062, 1988–1989).
Throughout all these experiences, I’ve come to hold a few core beliefs about teaching and learning:
- We are all lifelong learners. I view myself, first and foremost, as a learner—not just a teacher.
- Everyone can be both a learner and a teacher. I believe I can learn something from everyone I meet.
- Learning is enhanced through meaningful relationships. Empathy is essential in my practice.
- True growth includes emotional, social, cognitive, creative, and physical development.
- There is always something new to learn.
- The learner is always more important than what is being learned.
- “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
