I hold a diverse educational background that has equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective teaching. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Carolina - Aiken in 2003, which provided me with a strong foundation in the sciences. In 2020, I obtained my Master of Science in International Educational Leadership from Wilkes University, enhancing my expertise in educational leadership and management. Additionally, I am TEFL/TESOL certified as of 2023, which has further equipped me to teach English as a second language. These qualifications reflect my commitment to continuous learning and my dedication to providing quality education to students.

My teaching journey began in 2007 when I embarked on a career as an ESL teacher, specializing in one-to-one private lessons. This experience allowed me to tailor my teaching methods to meet the unique needs of individual students, ensuring their progress and success in language acquisition. From 2007 to 2016, I served as a Science Teacher at the American School of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais, Brazil. During this time, I had the opportunity to engage with students aged 11 to 19, a diverse group that included a majority of non-native English speakers. In 2016, I transitioned into the role of Upper School Principal and IB MYP Coordinator, overseeing the middle and high school levels until 2020. These experiences have honed my pedagogical approaches, enabling me to adapt and excel in various educational settings.

Throughout my teaching career, I have had the privilege of working with students of varying ages and backgrounds. In my role as an ESL teacher, I taught adults, both face-to-face and online, tailoring my instruction to suit their specific learning needs and goals. During my tenure at the American School in Brazil, I taught in an IB MYP classroom setting with class sizes capped at 23 students. This context involved working with students aged 11 to 19, most of whom were non-native speakers of English.