Second Grade Wanderlust

I’m a passionate special education teacher with over 15 years of experience, dedicated to creating engaging and effective resources for all learners. My love for graphic design dates back to the days of Paintbrush, and now I’m thrilled to share my creative skills with educators everywhere. Let’s make teaching and learning a little more fun together!

My teaching style focuses on hands-on engagement and fostering active learning. I design lessons that challenge students to think critically and creatively, incorporating the higher levels of Bloom's Taxonomy to promote deep understanding and meaningful connections.

I am honored to have received Traveling Vineyard's 2018's Spirit of the Vineyard award, recognizing my dedication, leadership, and passion for building community and meaningful connections. This award reflects my commitment to inspiring others and fostering a collaborative environment—values that I bring into my teaching and resource creation as well. In addition to my work in education, I have been honored to serve as a keynote speaker for several MLM companies. A highlight of my speaking career includes presenting on the main stage at Planet Hollywood to an audience of 1,200 people, where I shared insights and inspired others through teambuilding, goal setting, and actionable strategies.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) with a minor in History from SUNY Potsdam. (SUNY Potsdam was one of the first 50 colleges in the USA, and the oldest SUNY College in NYS. 200+ years of excellence & is known for their teaching program.) Additionally, I have earned two Master's degrees in Special Education: one focused on Birth to 5-year-olds and another for Grades 1-6 certification. I also possess advanced certificates in Challenging Behaviors and have conducted thesis research on Generalizing Vocational Skills in Students with Autism. Outside of the classroom, I have earned a WSET Level 2 certification in Wine and am a Certified Bourbon Professional (CBP) Level 1. I am also currently working toward a Rum certification, reflecting my passion for lifelong learning and exploration of diverse interests.