About Me

(for TGC)

I teach 2nd grade ESOL at Cougar Elementary School in Manassas Park, Virginia, USA. ESOL means English for Speakers of Other Languages - it's also often called ESL. It means I have the great privilege to spend my days with incredible 7-, 8- and 9-year-olds who are learning English alongside another (or several other) language(s).

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I am passionate about language learning and cultural diversity. In college, I majored in French and anthropology. My French degree helped me understand firsthand the challenges and benefits of communicating in another language. Studying anthropology taught me about inequality and the relationship between language and culture. Teaching ESOL already brings these interests together. In 2018, however, I embarked on a new adventure that would knit these academic interests, as well as my lifelong love of travel, into my teaching practice.

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In 2018-2019, I was honored to receive the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms fellowship. This program connects educators from across the United States and trains them to teach from a global perspective. After an intensive online course learning about Global Education, we all met for a Symposium in February. In summer 2019, I will go on my International Field Experience, which is a teacher exchange trip to Colombia! I look forward to learning more about global education, forming new partnerships, and improving my Spanish!

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I live about 30 miles away from Washington, DC, the capital city of the United States. I've actually lived in several different states and have called lots of places "home," including Seattle, Chicago, and North Carolina. I also love to travel, whether to visit faraway family and friends or to meet new friends along the way. In my free time I love cuddling with my rescue dog Molly, trying new restaurants with my husband, and sharing stories with friends over coffee.