"Words are like nets. We hope they'll cover what we mean, but we know they can't possibly hold that much joy, grief or wonder."

I was born in Mission Viejo, and I attended Capistrano Valley High School as a student from 1998-2001. While at CAPO, I also played basketball for the Cougars. I entered the teaching and coaching profession after completing my five year career at Concordia University, Irvine. While at Concordia, I played four years of Collegiate Basketball and studied English Literature/Communications. I graduated in May of 2005 with a B.A. in English/Secondary Education. In the fall of 2006 I finished the process of obtaining a teaching credential while student teaching at Irvine High School. CVHS offered me a teaching position in May of 2006, which was a dream come true. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to teach at Capistrano Valley. I love the teachers, staff, and especially the students. I now live in Fountain Valley with my husband and our son. My husband teaches 10th and 11th grade history at Lakewood High School. He is also the head girls basketball coach at Fountain Valley High School.

This will be my seventh year teaching English at Capistrano Valley. I have a passion for young people, and it is my goal to be someone in their lives who will encourage, listen to, invest in, and support them. I love the subject of English and all that it brings to the high school student. High school is a significant time in the lives of young individuals. It is a time of wonder, discovery, growth, doubt, searching, finding, belonging, and so much more. It is a time students are able to thrive in academics, social realms, athletics, arts, and clubs. English allows students to connect pieces of literature to writing, meaningful discussion, and universal truths that relate to their lives outside of the classroom. I chose to be a teacher because I wanted to be someone who could be a positive influence and example for young people. I love the opportunity to encourage organization, motivation, striving and follow through. I genuinely believe that young people deserve to be heard. Each of their lives is important to me and I enjoy having them in class. While we will always cover the CA standards for English/Language Arts and follow the district wide curricular map, we will do so with fervor, and attempt to find meaning along the way. My classroom will be a place of fairness and respect. I am looking forward to a year of amazing students, exciting learning, and memorable moments.