Gunga Peas Books

I taught Latin American history and the Core Humanities at the University level. I recently changed careers and am now completely in love with teaching 11th and 12th graders. I teach AP U.S. History and a Senior Seminar that focuses on Government and Foreign Affairs.

I like to layer the content I present so I design my classes to draw on a diverse array of teaching styles to include interactive lectures, group activities, board work and even charades. We use primary sources a lot in my AP course. My seniors read award winning books on politics and foreign affairs and we practice "civil discussions" to prepare them for college level seminars.

2012 Barrett Prize - Best dissertation written on a Latin American or Caribbean topic - University of Miami’s Center for Latin American Studies 2012 winner of the annual David John Ruggiero award - UM Center for the Humanities

Ph.D. in Latin American and Caribbean history, gender and Atlantic Studies

I am West Indian born and grew up on a sugar plantation in Jamaica. I moved with my family to Miami after graduating high school in Jamaica and attended the University of Miami for my undergraduate degree in Business Management and Organization. After five years as an officer in the US Air Force I used my GI Bill to pursue a Master's degree in Latin American History and Gender studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. I returned to the University of Miami for my doctoral degree and continued the path in Latin American history, Caribbean History and Atlantic World studies. My research focuses on free people of color in 19th century Cuba (yes, I visited Cuba to do research). I started Gunga Peas Books as a way to share my passion for good stories. I currently teach at a small independent college prep school in Reno, Nevada.