Personal Bio

My educational journey began as a student in St. Louis Public Schools, where an early appreciation for learning and language inspired a lifelong commitment to education. That foundation eventually led me to teaching and leadership positions in both K–12 and higher education, while reinforcing my belief in the transformative power of diversity, equity, and multilingualism in public education.

Before I ever stood in front of a classroom, I experienced what it meant to be the new student. By the time I graduated from high school, I had attended nine schools in four states, in both public and private settings. Those experiences exposed me to a remarkable diversity of people, cultures, and educational environments, and they shaped my lifelong interest in language, belonging, and intercultural understanding.

My academic journey was guided by a commitment to lifelong learning and a desire to better understand how languages are learned, taught, and supported through technology and leadership. Graduate study in Spanish, ESL, Educational Technology, and Instructional Leadership provided complementary perspectives that continue to shape my work as an educator, researcher, instructional leader, and program developer.

Over the course of my career, I have served as a classroom teacher, university instructor, language center director, curriculum developer, and researcher. These experiences have strengthened my expertise in language pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment, educational technology, teacher development, and international collaboration. They have also reinforced my belief that meaningful learning occurs when strong pedagogy, innovative practice, and authentic human connection come together to support student success.

Whether working with secondary students, university faculty, teacher candidates, or international partners, my goal has remained consistent: to create learning environments that expand opportunities, foster intercultural understanding, and help learners develop the confidence and skills to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

My academic journey was guided by a commitment to lifelong learning and a desire to better understand how languages are learned, taught, and supported through technology and leadership. Graduate study in Spanish, ESL, Educational Technology, and Instructional Leadership provided complementary perspectives that continue to shape my work as an educator, researcher, and program developer.

Together, these experiences strengthened my expertise in language pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment, educational technology, teacher development, and international collaboration. They also reinforced my belief that meaningful learning occurs when strong pedagogy, innovative practice, and authentic human connection work together to support student success.

[Diversity statement]

My Passion for Languages

My undergraduate years ignited a lifelong passion for language and communication. Although I grew up with a Spanish-speaking mother, it was not until college that I truly immersed myself in the language—exploring its phonetics and syntax, engaging daily with native speakers, and embracing its rich cultural expressions through film, music, literature, and lived interactions.

To refine my proficiency, I relied on Spanish–English contrastive analysis and a well-worn copy of 501 Spanish Verbs. Yet more influential than any textbook was the time I spent engaging authentically with native speakers. Those conversations shaped my fluency, broadened my worldview, and deepened my appreciation for the lived experience behind the language.

The first time I heard Brazilian Portuguese, I was captivated by its timbre, rhythm, and musicality. Learning Portuguese became a profoundly transformative experience—one that expanded my understanding of Latin and Ibero-American cultures beyond Hispanic contexts alone. I pursued this interest through every means available: international satellite television, travel, social media, and early synchronous online chat platforms.

Technology became a bridge, allowing me to connect with native speakers across the global Lusophone community and gain access to meaningful, real-time immersion long before virtual exchange became a widespread pedagogical practice.

The Road Less Traveled

My academic path has been anything but traditional, yet the road less traveled has enriched my passion for languages and shaped me into a dynamic educator, researcher, and instructional leader. Graduate study in Spanish, ESL, Educational Technology, and Instructional Leadership provided complementary perspectives that continue to inform my work in language education, curriculum development, virtual exchange, and teacher preparation.

Each stage of my academic journey expanded my understanding of how languages are learned, taught, and supported through meaningful human interaction, innovative pedagogy, and educational technology. As a lifelong learner, I remain committed to exploring new approaches that engage students, support teachers, and strengthen the connections between language learning, culture, and global citizenship.