What inspired you to become a teacher?

I wanted to find a career that would work well with being a musician and songwriter. I had mini-careers in college lacrosse coaching, video production, commercial real estate, and manufacturing before teaching. This allowed me to experience and sample other industries and possibilities before teaching chose me in a way. I was not trained as a teacher in college, so it was a pleasant surprise to find my circuitous road to teaching at age 30.

Why did you choose the subject area that you teach?

I minored in History in college and took AP history in high school, so it was a natural choice for me. In addition to being a social studies and humanities teacher, throughout my career, I have also been a rock band coach and lacrosse coach. I feel fortunate to be connected to history, music, and sports in my job. All three areas have been passions of mine since middle school.

What do you find most rewarding about teaching and working with students?

I love the zaniness of middle schoolers and the day-to-day flow of the school year. I am never watching the clock waiting for the day to end. I really love seeing what students are naturally interested in —  both in school and with their extracurriculars. As I get older, I see it as a privilege to be with a particular group of students for a nine-month journey that we call the school year.

Are there any memorable or impactful moments in your teaching career that stand out to you?

During my first two weeks at McDonogh, 9/11 occurred; that shocking event colored the coming years and our curriculum as we navigated the swiftly changing world in its wake. 

On the happier side, I have had many wonderful moments at Rock Shop’s annual Well Well Well concert that I started with other teachers and the Eighth Grade Leadership Group. Over many years, we have raised a lot of money for building water wells in Africa and other more local causes…all while having a rocking evening of middle school fun. It is the only party each year where middle school students and their families and friends gather, celebrate, and contribute to a worthy cause.

How do you connect with and engage students in the learning process?

I try to be myself and let students be who they are. I think students appreciate teachers being authentic. I worked at The Odyssey School for dyslexic children prior to teaching at McDonogh, so I have an empathetic understanding of students' challenges and different learning styles. I also try to figure out what a particular student is passionate about and then look for ways to incorporate their interests into the class. Many of my students like “Music Monday” when we listen to songs and analyze how they connect to our course content.