Lydia is a transplant from Michigan, where she was born and raised, then attended Western Michigan University (WMU) to acquire her undergrad in English Literature with a Spanish Language Minor. Post graduation, she took her BA to sunny San Diego. In a former life she worked to improve transportation for the elderly and disabled, as a planner at the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and project manager for the American Red Cross. Her realization to transform into an educator came in 2014 through active involvement and initiating projects at the project based learning (PBL) schools her two children attended. She felt a calling to help educate and nurture our upcoming generations of learners. She achieved her teaching credential through the HTH Apprentice program 2015-2017, working in grades K-2. In 2018, She joined the 1st grade team and nurtured/taught many littles through 2024. From 2024 to present she stepped into the role of EML Coordinator. She discovered a love of literacy and urgency to insure every child has access to their right to be literate. She is married, has two amazing kids, an equally amazing husband who she spends time with during, before and after yoga/strength training, creative pursuits, travel and girl time. Most importantly she’s never stopped learning and looks forward to expanding her education through all the many and wonderful perspectives her students and colleagues bring to this work everyday!