I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2010, with a degree in Secondary English Education. I then began a career as a high school English teacher which lasted for seven years. During that time, I taught 9th grade English, 9th grade Honors English, AP Language, and a speech/communication elective.
I enjoyed my time as a classroom teacher immensely. The opportunity to watch students fall in love with reading or writing made my job exciting and fulfilling. As a teacher, I strove to honor all types of learners with interactive lessons that tapped into students' interests and literacies.

While teaching, I pursued a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Georgia College. After receiving this degree, I decided to begin a full-time journey towards a Ph.D. I currently attend the University of Texas at Austin and am enrolled in the Language and Literacy Studies program. As part of this program, I work as an instructor and a field coach for undergraduate students who are working towards a degree in elementary or secondary ELA instruction. I have loved this opportunity to work with the next generation of teachers, as well as this chance to work with undergraduate students. In addition to my coaching and teaching duties, I'm beginning to develop my own research; my interests include digital literacy (particularly literacies related to gaming) and ways that students develop identities as writers.

I'm passionate about working with students and helping them find and develop their own strengths as readers and writers. In my spare time, I love to read, go to the movies, play video games, find new restaurants, and continue to (slowly) learn to play the guitar.