I am a passionate educator that has served varied grade level students, in particular meeting the needs of multilingual learners, and special needs students, in Title 1 schools. As a lifelong resident of Albuquerque's South Valley my ‘why’ has always been to provide the best education in order to positively impact my students and help guide them towards building a purposeful future and in turn a healthier community.

Within my 22 years of teaching experience, as a Level 3, K-12, National Board Certified teacher. I have proven to educate my students in a standards-based, culturally responsive, literature focused, student-centered, diverse curriculum. I have developed a curriculum that fully incorporates critical thinking, multiculturalism, technology, analytical essay writing, hands-on projects, and varied assessments. With over 10 years experience in mentoring student teachers from the APS / ATF and the ATRP program, supporting them in building their capacity for all aspects and responsibilities of teaching. I have taught dual credit education courses through Central New Mexico for the past 5 years, including the supervision of their practicum hours in elementary and middle school classrooms. For the past two years I have worked with the NM Public Education Department analyzing and developing essential standards for English Language Arts, as well as a curriculum evaluator of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive materials. I am a teacher leader within APS, leading professional development, mentoring national board candidates, and supporting other teachers in many capacities to help them meet all students' needs.

I advocate on behalf of teachers and will continue to do so, in order to make teaching and learning more manageable for us as teachers, as well as to better serve our students in a more equitable manner. I firmly believe that teachers' accomplishments, and in turn students' academic achievement, occurs if we have our voices heard and have some control over the learning environment. There are innovative ways that schools can lessen the stress and make all stakeholders feel more empowered if we can collectively create solutions for the optimal school community.