I double-majored in English and English Literature while I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from American Military University. I received a Master of Communication Management degree from the University of Southern California with a thesis focus on social media usage in the military. After ten years of working as a civilian public affairs officer in the Air Force, I decided the time was right to pursue my dream of working in the education field as a researcher and policy analyst, and most importantly, an educator myself. To do this, I knew I needed to also pursue a doctoral degree. So, currently, I am a doctoral candidate focusing on educational leadership, research, and policy at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. My research more specifically focuses on the connections between school choice policy, racial equity, access to education, and school segregation.

I love to teach, coach, and mentor in English, writing, academic writing rules (I specialize in APA), research, and any topic related to the social sciences, like humanities, history, and the like. I can comfortably teach elementary and middle school math and science, but I would probably refer you to a colleague for higher levels of math and sciences.

English, reading, and writing are my favorite subjects to tutor because language, in my opinion, is what rules the world. It can be any language, including emojis, but the way we communicate can make or break us. I also believe that no one is born a great writer; it's a craft that requires years of practice to master. Even Ernest Hemingway had to practice writing!

My teaching approach is one of flexibility on my part that prioritizes my students' needs. Some students need step by step instructions, some need visuals, others need more time. Whatever the case is, I like to spend a little time getting to know my students and understanding what kind of approach might work best for that one student. To achieve that, my tutoring relationships must be built upon honesty and transparency. I commit myself to it and expect nothing less from you. As long as we're authentic with each other, we can accomplish pretty much anything.

I am passionate about the subject and practice of education. I believe strongly that education is the key to realizing your potential, whether you receive a traditional education, are mentored by someone who can teach you, or you even receive a self-education by being a great reader. I believe that the more you educate your brain, the more you can begin to understand the plight of those who are disenfranchised from opportunity for any number of reasons, especially from education. One of my heroes, for example, is Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani human rights activist, who risked life and limb so that she and women and girls like her would have the right to an education.

I am also a firm believer in the lifelong benefits of one-on-one mentorship. I like to view my tutoring and teaching sessions as chances to share my own life and education story (and mistakes) so that my mentee can learn from them. For example, I have found that letting my passion for learning show helps motivate my students to work hard to achieve their own dreams. I have a student right now who is pursuing her dream of starting her own nutrition consulting business and needed coaching in how to improve her writing for publishing a book. I love to see her face light up when she understands a concept she didn't understand before we talked. For me, this is the ultimate reward.

What do I do besides learn and teach (in that order)? I read, love up on my three quirky rescue dogs, walk around my mountain-top property for hours, and travel with my husband (except in 2020 during the worst Covid days).

I can sum up my life- and learning-philosophy with this quote: "The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." Jack London, 1916, The San Francisco Bulletin.