Purpose Driven Reading

I currently serve as a fifth-grade English Language Arts (ELA) instructor at a private Christian school, a position I have held for seven years. This experience has enabled me to develop a deep proficiency in the effective teaching of all facets of ELA. Prior to this role, I taught fourth grade for seven years at a public neighborhood school in Charleston, South Carolina. I hold a Master's degree in Literacy and am highly skilled in integrating technology into daily instructional practices. Additionally, I have received specialized training through the Institute for Excellence in Writing and have designed the majority of my classroom curriculum independently, tailoring it to meet the needs of my students.

My teaching style is centered around fostering critical thinking and encouraging students to engage deeply with the material. I believe that learning should be an active process, where students are not merely passive recipients of information, but active participants in their educational journey. To achieve this, I frequently pose thought-provoking questions that challenge students to analyze, reflect, and articulate their own ideas. By creating a classroom environment where inquiry and exploration are prioritized, I empower students to take ownership of their learning. This approach not only encourages self-directed learning but also helps students develop essential skills such as problem-solving, independent thinking, and the ability to make connections across disciplines. Ultimately, my goal is to cultivate lifelong learners who are confident in their ability to think critically and navigate complex concepts.

2010 -2011 Rookie Teacher of the Year for Drayton Hall Elementary School 2012 - 2013 Literacy Leader 2014 - 2015 Drayton Hall Elementary School Teacher Of The Year

I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2009, and in 2013 I received my masters in literacy education from The Citadel.