“Let Nature be your teacher.”

William Wordsworth

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I have served in several teaching roles at Manzanita for more than fifteen years, including seven years as a second grade teacher. In 2021, I was given the opportunity to create an Outdoor Education Program for Manzanita. This program has evolved over the years to include gardening, hiking, outdoor safety and exploration, and hands-on Life Science and Earth Science lessons covering the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

 

I am thrilled to be able to share my passion for natural history, birding, and outdoor adventure as I continue to learn alongside scholars as they conduct their own inquiries and develop their own passions.

 

My academic background includes a B.A. in Environmental Studies, with a minor in Latin American Studies and Latino Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz with a semester abroad in Costa Rica

and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a concentration in Environmental Education from Concordia University, Portland. I am proud to be able to communicate with scholars and parents in both English and Spanish.

 

My previous professional career in Environmental Education included two years as an Environmental Educator with the Los Angeles non-profit organization, TreePeople, and seven years as an Assistant Park Naturalist for Santa Barbara County Parks at Cachuma Lake.

 

My happy place is in my garden or anywhere outside with my family and my boxer dog, Rufus. My favorite things to do are hiking, kayaking, and snow skiing.