My Education Philosophy
I believe learning flourishes in classrooms built on trust, curiosity, and inclusion. I strive to create communities where every student feels safe to take risks, ask questions, and share their voice. Each learner has a unique path and something valuable to contribute to our world. I design learning experiences that reflect students’ identities while engaging them with the rich diversity of people and ideas beyond their own communities. As a facilitator of inquiry and discovery, I co-create meaningful experiences guided by students’ questions and scaffolded to meet their needs. When learning becomes a shared adventure, students grow into confident, compassionate, and curious thinkers. My teaching is grounded in a deep commitment to student well-being, restorative practices, and authentic relationships. I believe diversity, curiosity, and compassion are not only strengths but essential elements of learning.
In the classroom…
Professional Experience
Western Academy of Beijing | Grade 1 PYP Teacher | 2022-2024
- Taught comprehensive IB PYP curriculum to 84 students from 20+ countries, fostering cross-cultural collaboration
- Co-developed and implemented phonics program based on UFLI and Science of Reading principles, adopted across other grades.
- Created differentiated learning materials and assessments to support multilingual learners using WIDA, MAP Growth, and UDL principles
- Managed diverse classroom effectively while building strong student-teacher relationships and maintaining high engagement
Canadian International School of Beijing | Grade 2 PYP Teacher/Lead | 2020-2022
- Led inquiry-based instruction aligned with New Brunswick standards for a diverse student body
- Founded and chaired school-wide DEI committee; created inclusive literature database and K–5 lesson plans
- Mentored teachers in collaborative planning and transdisciplinary models
- Supervised and trained teaching assistants in differentiation and classroom management strategies
Canadian International School of Beijing | Grades 1-3 EAL Teacher | 2019-2020
- Provided targeted language support to 100+ multilingual learners through collaborative co-teaching model
- Developed differentiated instructional materials for varying English proficiency levels across 6 classrooms
- Successfully adapted instruction during transition between in-person, online, and hybrid learning formats
Dominican International School of Kaohsiung | G5 Student Teacher | 2018-2019
- Implemented Common Core Standards-aligned curriculum in diverse international school classroom of 12 students
- Developed grammar and ELA instructional materials to support both independent and facilitated student learning, creating interactive games and worksheets
Shakespeare Language Learning, Taiwan | G1-6 ESL Teacher | 2017-2019
- Designed and delivered comprehensive English curriculum for grades 1-6, creating engaging lesson materials for 50 students
- Gamified English language learning by co-creating educational games and interactive activities with students, transforming traditional materials into engaging learning experiences
Huntington Learning, USA | K-12 Common Core & SAT/ACT Tutor | 2016-2017
- Provided individualized math and ELA tutoring to elementary students, strengthening reading comprehension and filling foundational math gaps to support classroom success
- Provided SAT, ACT, and AP Calculus test prep instruction to students, improving test scores while building student confidence and reducing test anxiety
Denver Public Schools, USA | Social Work Intern | 2016
- Collaborated with families and multidisciplinary teams to implement multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and social-emotional learning
- Adapted and delivered Second Step curriculum lessons, creating differentiated materials to enhance engagement and accessibility
- Supported the design and review of IEPs, contributing insight on student behavior, classroom strategies, and goal development
JLEE Preparatory Academy | G1-7 ESL Teacher | 2012-2015
- Facilitated weekly debates and writing instruction for Grade 4 students on complex topics, assessing 5-paragraph essays and providing detailed feedback to improve argumentation and writing skills
- Delivered comprehensive ELA curriculum across grades 1-7, teaching literature analysis of young adult novels, grammar, reading comprehension, and weekly student presentations
Professional Development
- Universal Design for Learning – Katie Novak
- Orton-Gillingham Reading Instruction – Online Academy
- Word Inquiry – Fiona Hamilton
- How to Streamline Curriculum Units and Lessons – Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs
- Bilingual and Multilingual Learners from the Inside Out – Educators of BMLs
- IB Workshops: Making the PYP Happen (Cat. 1), Evidencing Learning (Cat. 2), Approaches to Learning (Cat. 3), Inquiry in Creative Places (Cat. 3)
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | Macalester College | 2012
Studies in educational psychology, cognitive development and cross-cultural pedagogies
Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education 1-6 | Moreland University | 2019
Completed intensive post-graduate teaching certification specializing in 21st Century learning technologies
Contemporary Arts Studies | Metáfora Studio Arts | 2025
Studio program in contemporary art theory and practice, focused on visual literacy, creative inquiry, and multimodal design