Faculty and Staff

As an Academic Specialist, I promote creativity and innovation by building strong, trusting relationships with students. I create a supportive space where they feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and share ideas without fear of failure. By recognizing their strengths and interests, I tailor learning experiences that spark curiosity and inspire creative thinking. I also encourage collaboration, helping students share perspectives, work together on problem-solving, and explore diverse learning approaches. Through mentorship and encouragement, I help students gain confidence, empowering them to think creatively and embrace innovation.

When I'm not at school, I love spending time with my family and enjoying the beach. A favorite summer activity is visiting Vero Beach to watch sea turtles nest or hatch. We’re also a Disney family—thanks to my dad—and I really cherish that. Road trips are a big passion, and I enjoy discovering new places along the way. Volunteering is important to me, too—I cook monthly for the Ronald McDonald House, which is always rewarding. Sports are a family affair, and from April to October, you’ll usually find us at the baseball fields. Once winter comes, it's all about basketball! 

I was an English teacher in an urban public school system for many years, and I wanted to empower my students to believe in the power of higher education to change their lives. I wanted them to understand that by dreaming big, and working hard, they had many options for higher education that were excellent "fits" academically, financially, and socially. I knew that if I could help them access resources, they had the power to make their dreams a reality.

One of my favorite ways to make learning engaging is to do projects with the students that showcase their talents. They use their various skills with art, writing, technology, and/or music to put together interesting pieces to demonstrate their knowledge. Another favorite technique is trying to make connections between the class texts and the real world or their own lives.

Who is the greatest country singer of all time?
Hardcore country fan will all answer George Jones. However, this is obviously wrong. While no one can compete with Jones as far as the pure power of his voice, Merle Haggard is clearly the all time greatest based on the combination of musical talent and songwriting ability. Just take a listen to "If We Make It Through December", "Going Where the Lonely Go" or "Mama Tried" and you'll forget all about George Jones. Sorry, Possum. Hag for the win.

Math Teacher

Sometimes, I find myself relearning or digging deeper into the topics I teach to present them in the best way possible for my students. It’s not just about mastering the content; I’m always working to improve my teaching methods, too. Everyone brings a different approach to teaching, so I often read math-related articles, solve problems outside of class, or watch math and science videos. Even tackling math puzzles helps keep things fresh and stimulating.

My high school's motto was "life-long learners," and I strive for that. I am always reading books (and love discussing them with my students and colleagues). I also love collaborating with other teachers to pilfer their ideas and try them out in my own classroom. I also appreciate how PCD lets me design my own courses and try things that are a bit out of my comfort zone (like designing and teaching Environmental Science) to stretch my skills and interests. Never a dull day at work!

I make sure to incorporate things into my classes and life outside of school that feed my curiosity and soul. A couple of years ago, I decided to pursue a graduate degree through a program at the Bronx Zoo. Even with the added workload and lengthy commute, it has expanded my knowledge and skills (we were still using microfiche readers when I was in college!). This experience has energized me and led me to bring new innovations and ideas back to PCD to share with students and faculty.

I encourage creativity and innovation in DEIB work by creating spaces where students and faculty feel safe to be open, and ask hard questions. By embracing discomfort as part of learning, uplifting student voices, and weaving diverse perspectives into our curriculum and traditions, we build a school culture where everyone feels valued and change can happen.

I actively seek professional development opportunities in the field of History. Sometimes that takes the form of listening to a podcast or reading a book on a specific period of history that helps me expand my content knowledge and other times it involves completing a training on a new methodology like the Case Method through the Case Method Institute of Harvard University. My work with that specific program allowed me to bring the Case Method into my AP history classes and expose my students to a new format for critical thinking.

The fact that PCD recognizes that some students will have a need for academic support in addition to their classroom contact with teachers is critically important. More importantly, PCD is one of the very few schools that actively addresses this challenge with a comprehensive approach that includes teachers, advisors, and The Learning Center (TLC). TLC support occurs in an organic environment, with teachers who know the content and a schedule that makes that support available during the normal academic day. The fact that I am part of the TLC team was a significant factor in my desire to join the PCD community.

My favorite teacher was my high school Spanish teacher and advisor, Ms. Heytink. She inspired me to be curious not just about what we were learning but the why and how we are learning. She also set high expectations for me while being warm and supportive. She helped me believe that I was capable of doing things that are difficult.

What I find most rewarding about working at PCD is the school’s strong commitment to community values, which deeply connects with me in my role as school nurse. The open communication and trust I share with families ensure that students' physical, emotional, and social health needs are met, allowing them to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. This partnership with families is key to helping students succeed. It is incredibly fulfilling to be a part of this community.

Director of Athletics/English Teacher

What inspired my transition from elementary educator to Head of Lower School is the incredible students, families, and teachers I’ve worked with over the years. Each brought unique stories, strengths, and challenges, and it became clear that my work should focus on celebrating and amplifying their voices. I wanted to create a program that recognized these diverse perspectives while fostering growth and support. 

The teamwork! I've never worked at a school where colleagues looked out for each other so consistently. Despite vast differences in teaching styles and specific goals, it feels like we are part of a team that wants the best for each other. This spills over to students, and although they may not always show it, many of them know and believe that we have their best interests at heart, even when differences of style or opinion make for tense situations.

I like to greet each student at the door of room 209 before each class. Say hello to each of them, give them a fist bump, and ask how everything is going in their day. If I attended one of their middle school sports games, I will comment positively on their play, or the teams play.

My teaching philosophy focuses on creating a rich, engaging learning experience. I aim to foster a deep understanding of Roman culture by exploring not just grammar and vocabulary, but also the social, political, and religious contexts of the Roman world. In my literature courses, I emphasize the historical and cultural significance of ancient texts, encouraging students to consider how these stories were received in their original contexts and how they resonate today. By connecting academic concepts to the broader human experience, I hope to inspire critical and creative thinking.