I am a graduate of the University of Portland (MFA in Directing) and Louisiana State University (BA in Theatre). I bring to you six years of direct teaching experience in Theatre Arts, Drama, Literature, Film, Rhetoric, and Public Speaking; with three years as a certified high school teacher and three as a college instructor. In a tutoring capacity, I have served as a personal academic adviser and acting coach to students. Also, as a Gifted/Talented high school teacher, I have developed several Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with students that required direct one-to-one instruction, assessment, goal formation, and review.

What separates me from many teachers and tutors is my pedagogical style. Coming from a theatre background, my instructional methods are often engaging and performance-based, not only to provide students with an active model of appropriate behavior, enthusiasm, and approach to the assignment; but also to garner their undivided attention to facilitate retention and comprehension of knowledge. Also, one of my unique qualities is a strong sense of empathy and understanding with students who have special needs and who come from homes experiencing distress. I can relate to them and know how to be patient and encouraging in order to give them a sense of hope in what sometimes seems like a hopeless place.

As an educator, mentor, and life coach, it is my goal and life’s passion to give young people the tools to make positive change in society by investigating the world more deeply, questioning and evaluating everything they think they know, and eloquently expressing their completely vetted knowledge so that people will listen to, understand, and adopt their valuable input.

Finally, when I am not teaching and/or tutoring, I enjoy hiking, camping, and connecting with nature; finding balance and tranquility through meditative practice; endurance training at the gym; theatre and the arts; international travel; and experimental cooking with new ingredients.