Innovative, highly-trained educator with solid ability to leverage history of teaching varied-level grades and subject matters into appropriate and appealing instructional design, including virtual lessons; intertwines technology heavily with curriculum plans to enrich and develop interactive learning experience. 

December 2011 Master's of Science, Walden University, Instructional Design and Technology

June 2011 State of Florida Professional Educator's Certificate, Middle Grades, Social Science, English

May 2010 Certificate Instructional Design, Walden University

July 2006 State of Florida Professional Educator's Certificate, Middle Grades, History

December 1989 Bachelor of Arts, Auburn University, History and Architecture

2004 - 2011 Sixth Grade Teacher, English, Social Studies, Religious Education

San Jose Episcopal Day School

7423 San Jose Boulevard

Jacksonville, Florida 32217

(904) 733-0352

www.sjeds.org

2003            Eighth Grade Teacher, Social Studies

Matthew Gilbert Middle School

1424 Franklin Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32206

1991 - 1997 Owner/Manager

Sandmark Gallery, Inc

Mandarin Landing Shopping Center

San Jose Boulevard

Jacksonville, Florida 32257

1990 - 1991 Assistant Manager, Young Men's Department

Rich's Department Store, Columbia Mall

7201 Two Notch Rd

Columbia, South Carolina 29223

2010 Iceland Global Studies Trip Traveler: Iceland Blog

San Jose Episcopal Day School embarked on a global studies program in 2007 by sending two of its teachers along with the school's mascot, Jose the Bear, to China. Each year since, two teachers along with Jose the Bear have traveled to a different country. The objective of this innovative program is to familiarize students with other cultures in the world and that by grade 6 students will have digitally traveled to six vastly different countries. In 2010 I was chosen to be one of the travelers to Iceland. Part of the experience for the children is to digitally travel with the teachers through a daily blog. Along with a daily narrative, the blog contains pictures, videos, songs, and extension resources for all grade levels. The travelers are also expected to help their fellow teachers integrate the study of the focus country into the current curriculum.

The three main components to the Global Studies Program consists of connecting students, 1. to the travel through Jose the Bear's adventures, 2. to new cultures through the blog, pictures, podcasts, videos, and skype, and 3. to the curriculum through school wide integrated lessons.

2008 Sweden Trip with Jose the Bear: Sweden Blog

Along with the yearly global studies program trip, Jose also makes other trips around the world. Students and faculty are able to take Jose the travel bear with them on their adventures and then write a blog about the country they visit. Jose went with me to Sweden in the winter of 2007.  

2007 - 2011 Egypt Global Studies Integration: Egypt Blog

Sixth grade was tapped as the focus grade for the Egypt trip. Our job as sixth grade teachers was to lead the Egyptian culture based activities throughout the year. We created a tomb in the Social Studies classroom and filled it with student created Egyptian artifacts. The sixth grade students acted as docents and led tours of the tomb for the lower grade classes. Each year the tomb is recreated during our Egypt Immersion week in which all our activities use an Egyptian theme. Last year as both the Social Studies and English teacher it was my job to teach the students how to conduct valid research and write reports on the artifacts they would create for the tomb. Students also had to save a pyramid from the sand storms by figuring out how much liquid protectant would be needed to completely cover one of the great pyramids. Another activity included creating a historical time line of Egyptian events down the walls of the school. By integrating math, science, language arts, and historical activities students are able to fully immerse themselves in the country of study while still continuing to learn necessary sixth grade concepts.

2010 Florida Educational Technology Conference, Orlando, Florida

2010 Florida Council of Independent Schools Annual Conference, Jacksonville, Florida

2009 Florida Council of Independent Schools Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida

2008 National Council for Teachers of English, Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas

2006 Florida Council of Independent Schools Annual Conference,  Jacksonville, Florida

2006 National Council for Teachers of English, Annual Convention, Nashville, Tennessee