I am a self proclaimed "school nerd" and love learning about all things education, and school related. I love getting to know the unique "personality " of schools to help support families in finding their best fit school and supporting educators with their unique needs. Learning, and educating others are two of my favorite things, and I absolutely love to combine the two. I have spent my entire career (and life) in schools. I have a passion for helping families, supporting teachers, and educating people.
My fascination with schools began even before I was out of school myself. An unexpected high school switch sparked an interest and awareness in the differences in each school. Before going off to college I spent hours studying a college reference book and learning about each school's unique offerings. Upon graduation, I delved into the same type of research and learned about Houston areas schools in my teaching job search.
Over the next 20 years I continued working with children, families, and schools in a variety of settings. I have experience as a teacher in public, private, special, and charter schools for Preschool- High school age students in the classroom, and as a specialty teacher of Art, Drama, Yoga, Dance, and Movement enrichment. My teaching experience also includes teaching in specialized schools, with students with social and emotional and behavioral difficulties, and students with various learning differences. For nearly a decade, I was the owner, director, and instructor of a successful educational enrichment business that provided camps, classes, workshops and professional development in over 60 Houston area schools and organizations. I have since visited additional schools on tours, as a trainer and in additional contract roles.
I have had the unique experience to visit beyond tours, and experience schools as they function on a daily basis to capture a true picture of the full environment.
Additionally, I served as a school counselor at a private school with an International community of students from over 50 countries as well as a learning specialist for private school for Preschool- High school students.
In Fall 2018, I created the "Parents guide to Houston area preschools" that included information submitted from nearly 100 Houston area schools ad well as information on how to pick a preschool. Over the past two decades, I have presented professional development and parent education at multiple conferences, schools and organizations in the areas of child development, mental health, the Arts, behavior, classroom management, Yoga and Movement.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in Psychology and Education and a Master's degree in professional counseling. Currently I am completing my LPC (Licensed professional counselor associate ) license and RPT (Registered play therapist) credentials. I am also working on my CEP (Certified educational planner) certificate.
As a lifelong learner, I have acquired hundreds of hours in continuing education in various subjects in just the last few years and provided hundreds of training to educators, organizations and families.
In addition to educating others, I love to learn!