The STEAD Team

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional,”  George Couros (2015) on being an innovative leader in school. I truly believe that educators have the power to inspire students to do incredible things and accomplish more than what is contained in the four walls of a classroom. At STEAD we have reached a defining moment. Our task is to create a vision and purpose that will serve our students and this community far beyond their four years here. Project based learning, CTE, and hands-on STEM experiences allow students to learn skills that they will use for a lifetime, not just learn how to pass a test. In my research and experience I have exclusively sought out unique opportunities that allow students to grow as humans, research-based strategies that grow their content knowledge, and allow for educators to build relationships with their students in positive and impactful ways.

I knew from a very young age that I would become an educator– I worked in my aunt’s classroom and my grandma’s office since I could remember. In high school, I did apprenticeship programs in our neighboring middle school to make copies and grade papers. In high school and college, I worked as a summer camp counselor to better learn classroom management and creative ways to engage learners. When I say it is in my blood, I mean it. To me, education is an opportunity to inspire learners to be change-makers, to go after their dreams, and to learn ways to better themselves regardless of circumstances. I believe that quality educators have to be driven by a passion to do all of these things. I have seen major success in building relationships with students because of my high expectations, norms around a respectful classroom, and a love and care for students that encourages through positive feedback, rather than discourages through punishment and putting down. 

In the past, I have worked in very diverse settings. I have worked in elementary school with 25 year veteran teachers learning how to better use instructional technology because that was what was best for students to learn. I have worked in a Title-I middle school with students who had very difficult home situations, but gave their all to learn in the classroom. I have even worked in a bilingual international setting with educators who created incredible Project-based Learning experiences with community members, setting up students with partnerships well beyond their school years. I think that all can learn, young and old, to create a better world for tomorrow. I have always loved designing and leading professional learning for adults, hoping to encourage and inspire one more person to do incredible things for their own students!

My background is firmly grounded in STEM education using project based learning as a vehicle. I hold a Master’s of Education in leadership with a minor in innovative technologies along with my principal license from Kennesaw University. My undergrad is in secondary science and math education. This will be my 12th year in education in some capacity. Most recently before STEAD, I worked abroad at an international, bilingual school in Bucaramanga, Colombia as the middle and high school STEM coordinator. Previous to that, I was at a title I middle school serving as the STEAM coordinator and science educator. All of which led me down the path to find my home at STEAD, as a founding guide and instructional coach which then led to a dean position and now principal. 

How can this be done? A former principal of mine used to say that when confronted with a big idea that a teacher is passionate about, always say “Wow! – not how.” As a leader, my primary job is to support the staff in believing they can achieve anything they put their mind to as educators and designers. I will lead by getting out of the way and encouraging the creation of an environment where educators can allow students to lead and own their learning – by encouraging students to get out of their seats and to learn by doing, to empathize with their surroundings or community, and by giving them the tools to get out there and solve a problem. Project-Based Learning is a vehicle for students building skills in specialized pathways that will expose them to real world experiences and connections that they can use to shape their own futures. Students can and will rise to the occasion!

STEAD is a place where the future of education can flourish – the groundwork is already being laid. I believe what we are creating will define the turning point in public education in this country: Project-Based Learning, fully interdisciplinary planning cycles, and an authentic, CTE-driven curriculum. I cannot wait to see what we all build together here at STEAD!