I am married and have three children. Oliver is eight years old; Julian is six years old; and our youngest daughter, Emerson, is four years old.

I have been an elementary-school teacher for the past twelve years. In that time, I have learned a great deal about myself as both a person and an instructor. Although specific long-term goals have either solidified or shifted direction, my pedagogical mission has strengthened. I am still dedicated to:

*Ensuring that ALL children can learn. I believe that learning does not depend on socioeconomic status, gender, or race. Therefore, I have made it my mission to raise the achievement of all students while narrowing the gaps between the highest and lowest performing students. I want to eliminate racial achievement disparities in public education.

*Preparing ALL students for the 21st century. I believe that students can only reach their full potential if I facilitate and inspire creativity using digital tools and resources.

*Setting the expectation of life-long learning. Learning should not be just about test preparation. State mandated tests only occupy a small percentage of a student’s life. I teach skills that will be used forever.