Hello everyone! I’m was born and raised in San Diego and spent every summer visiting family in New Jersey/New York. I’m a proud first generation graduate! I’ve earned my Bachelor’s degree in Human Development with an emphasis in counseling from CSU San Marcos and my Educational Specialist credential and Master’s degree from CSU East Bay. “My philosophy of teaching is exemplified in a quote written by Ricardo T. Thornton, a disabled person, reads, “When people are given the chance to grow and contribute, they grow and contribute.” This is precisely my experience educating students from preschoolers to adults with disabilities across the past 20 years. My goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering work space that encourages students to recognize their own strengths, discover new interests, and promote growth in areas of need. In my free time, I love roller blading at the bay, cooking with my kids, and traveling to any island but especially, Hawaii.